MOUNT VERNON — If at first you don’t succeed, put the levy back on the ballot — at least that’s what Mount Vernon City Schools is doing this November.
On Monday, the MVCS Board of Education took the final step to put a 1-percent earned income tax levy back on the November ballot.
The levy narrowly failed in the May primary by 115 votes, a margin of 50.94 percent to 49.06 percent.
The resolution to proceed was approved on Monday in a final step to formally put the measure back on the ballot.
If passed, the tax would apply to wages and salaries. Unearned income such as investments and Social Security would be exempt.
“Earned income is money that you’re earning. Retirement income is money that you’ve already earned. That’s not going to be taxed. People on Social Security, people who are getting money from a pension, those people will not see any taxes increase at all,” MVCS Treasurer Judy Forney said.
The levy would generate roughly $6 million annually and $115 million total at the end of 30-years, as limited by Ohio law.
The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) has also offered the district $40 million in state support, should the measure pass in November.
The levy would fund the district’s Facilities Master Plan, which includes the construction of three new elementary schools and the renovation of Mount Vernon High School.
The district has identified five key priorities as part of the plan: improved school safety, improved operational efficiency, better meeting the needs of diverse learners, support for modern teaching practices and addressing aging and outdated infrastructure.
What has changed?
The levy has received one major change since its failure to pass earlier this year– it is now finite.
Previously, the May tax levy was continuing, which meant the levy would automatically renew with each year. In other words, there was no end date.
“We heard loud and clear that (the community) wanted it to be a bit more finite,” MVCS Supt. Bill Seder said.
Now, the issue on the November ballot is a fixed, 30-year tax levy. The tax will expire in 2056, if passed.
“We want to make sure that people understand that it’s very much like a mortgage: we say we’re going to build three elementaries and some facility upgrades, it’s going to cost this much and here’s our mortgage for the next 30 years to do that,” Seder said.
The Board of Education has plans to host community meetings regarding the levy during the school year. Specific details will be made available when they’re finalized.
