VIGO COUNTY, Ind – Tonight the Vigo County School Board is expected to vote on a $7 million-dollar tax referendum that would be on the November ballot.
The proposed question would be “For the eight calendar years immediately following the holding of the referendum, shall Vigo County School Corp. impose a property tax rate that does not exceed 16.22 cents on each $100 of assessed valuation and that is in addition to all other property taxes imposed by the school corporation for the purpose of funding safe transportation of students, to maintain safe and secure schools, reduce class sizes and attract and retain teachers and staff for our children?”
The board has until August 1st to file the referendum with the Vigo County Clerk’s office.
If the proposal passes it would raise $7 million each year for eight years.
They typical homeowner with a gross home value of $100,000 would see their property taxes go up by $53 per year. If your home is worth $200,000 that increase would be $158 per year.
The corporation has instituted $4 million in budget cuts.
The Cash balance has dropped form $30 million in 2016 to a projected $13 million by the end of this year.
Superintendent Rob Haworth says that the increase is needed to keep up with inflation, declining revenue from the state due to declining enrollment and other factors and in order to stay competitive with other districts in attracting new teachers.
Superintendent Haworth and tax experts are expected to make a presentation at tonight’s meeting that gets underway at 6:00 p.m.