The Summit County Fiscal Office has reported that new may actually be more millage than what voters are thinking they're voting on if it passes on Nov. 8.
How much more? They won't know until after the levy is voted on. They stated they will have the exact millage and how much each homeowner will be liable for sometime in December if the new levy passes. Because we are technically voting on whether to approve an additional $65 million in the form of this new 10-year property tax levy and not necessarily an exact millage of the new tax, allows the issue to remain on the ballot even though residents still won’t know their exact tax obligation until after the election.
Previous reports stated, at 6.57-mills your property tax bill will go up about 20 percent if the levy that voters passes this time. According to the Summit County Fiscal Office, in 2010 the average single family home in Stow was worth about $178,500, and about $150,900 in Munroe Falls.
That would mean that in average a homeowner in Stow would pay more than $350 toward the levy, and homeowners in Munroe Falls would pay more than $310 a year. But, due to our property values going down by an average of 7.42 percent, that means each homeowner in Stow and Munroe Falls will have to pay more percentage than the 20 percent increase mentioned because the whole $6.5 million is to be collected each year beginning with all taxes owed for 2011.
The Summit County Auditor's office confirmed that since the majority of our property tax goes toward accumulated multiple school levies which Stow and Munroe Falls voters have passed over the years; the part that goes to the school district will not see any decrease even though our property values have dropped. When it comes to school levies, we are voting on the dollar figure not necessarily on our percentage, which can go up to make up for the difference in property devaluations. If the new levy passes, the increase will be at least 20 percent to 30 percent more in February 2012 than if voters reject it again as they did this past August.
Due to the fact we are voting on a retroactive tax, we are voting on whether to tax ourselves since the beginning of this year Jan. 1, 2011. Therefore, voters need to be aware when they go to the booths; if this new 10-year $65 million (over 10 years) levy passes we will be negating the previous will of the people a few months ago in August and thus must pay whatever percentage increase, as determined by Summit County, once the property evaluations are finalized.
Residents will be able to call the Summit County Auditor’s office a week or two before Christmas to find out what their property tax bill will look like in February and how much this new tax levy will actually cost them if it passes this Tuesday.
Stow, Ohio
Just to clarify, there really isn't any "opinion" in this letter, but only reports as relayed by various county departments just like various reports that have been written in the Stow Sentry, The Plain Dealer, Beacon Journal and Stow Patch. There is no recommendation or opinion stating 'for' or 'against' Issue 20, the new property tax levy, in this article.
Looking at the comments that have been replied to others on this site, Are you Mr. Moyer listening and appreciating other points of views? Is anyone, including myself, doing the same? The election is 3 days away, and no matter how things turn out, this community better start looking, listening, agree to disagree and start working together, to get the mess cleaned up. IMHO, there is a lot of damage and hostility that needs to be fixed. We are all adults and many have children in this district, I think it is time, everyone starts acting like adults, and start setting an example for our children.
Also, my family and others I know did in fact move to Stow because the taxes are better than surrounding cities. In fact, a realtor friend confirmed that the majority of buyers they see are seeking cities that keep their taxes in check since most buyers don't have kids in public school. Yes, we can maintain a healthy district since the levy renewals coming up will get passed as always. Those account for over $55,000,000 and weren't included in the forecasted deficit. I realize even our well paid teachers at over $55,000 want a raise in 2 years, but maybe then we can vote for that. I can't do that now.
And, if there are those who have the funds and are voting for the levy; if it fails they can still be supportive. No one is blocking anyone who's been blessed from giving money to the school or directly to students who may not have the money for increased fees to play sports. If they're voting to pay that tax increase and they feel like that opportunity gets taken away by voters, then donate. I hope my family can get back to the income we used to have so we can support raises for others and even keep the extra staff even though student enrollment is down by hundreds. But, the district will have to make adjustments and if we are to keep paying good salaries (over 155 staff currently make between $70,000 to over six figures), then they can bring staff levels back to where they were since we have less students.
It's certainly fun to have a story about pet of the week up today, but this article deals with something very important concerning something we all should vote on in Stow and Munroe Falls in just a matter of a couple days. Would it be too much to ask that this get in the main large block at least by Monday? Thanks for posting it anyhow even if you don't want to give this local voice more attention in the main block. I don't want to sound unappreciative.
Amanda wrote; 10:02am on Monday, October 31, 2011 "...I would like to remind everyone that we also accept letters to the editor and they would be posted front and center on our homepage if selected to publish." To my knowledge, this was never posted front and center on the featured area the day it was published. Like Lissa I'm not wanting to sound picky and I'm glad it got published, but it would help voters be more informed since some don't read the dead tree edition of news and the Sentry only had a small mention about what the county fiscal office has been telling people about this. I also agree that it would be better for our district in the future that if they place a new levy on the ballot they don't make it retroactive which really does hurt some people who don't have that extra money saved up that they didn't know they would have to pay. Can you imagine if we treated other elections the way we do levies? Once a person got voted into office we could just get the election on the ballot again and if we voted a different way then it nullifies everything that elected official did the past year and its as though we elected the second one in the very first election and the new agenda would be retroactive.
But, having the ability to see things on the back end of the site, I can assure you this post is getting attention (more than the pets of the week, haha.) Also, this is a letter to the editor and categorized as opinion — it is clearly stated at the top of this post above the headline. I'd like to also remind everyone that we continue to post things on our Facebook page, whether it is featured in the top spot on the site still or not. (I just reposted the letter here: http://www.facebook.com/StowPatchElections)
apparently No is only no when you replace all vestiges of the "Yes" crowd. We need to elect three new School Board members who will be the final authority for the taxpayers. I'm afraid that the current school administration is part of the "Yes" problem and also needs replacement or strong Board guidence.
The Plain Dealer endorses Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools levy SUMMIT COUNTY STOW-MUNROE FALLS CITY SCHOOLS Stow, Munroe Falls Current: $1,004 per $100,000 of home value Request: New 6.57-mill, 10-year operating levy Change: Increase 20 percent to $1,205 per $100,000 Why we recommend passage: The Stow-Munroe Falls schools have cut more than $2 million since 2006, but with another $1 million in state budget cuts looming, this excellent-rated district -- already one of the region's lowest-cost districts in per-pupil outlays -- needs the extra money. Voters who rejected this levy in August should reconsider. Who is mistaken? The Plain Dealer The Stow-Munroe Falls schools have cut more than $2 million since 2006, but with another $1 million in state budget cuts looming. Or Russ Jones saying we eliminated $8 million dollars. In my opionion, not being a math major, that is $5 MILLION DOLLARS that is to be questioned, is it not ????!!!!!! Listen for yourself folks: http://akronnewsnow.com/news/local/item/8330-audio-stow-munroe-falls-voters-to-decide-on-657-mill-school-levy
While I would not presume to tell the citizens of Stow and Munroe Falls how to vote, each of you must honestly evaluate the cost and impact to you personally before marking your ballot on November 8th by being fully informed especially in light of some of the dubious spending occurring in the schools (International Baccalaureate program for one) and by the Board (cost for a special election that was wasted in an effort to slip the levy through). You are the true stewards of the school system and the teachers and administrators work for you not the other way around.
The average single family home in Stow was worth about $178,500, and about $150,900 in Munroe Falls in 2010. Based on the fact that if the levy passes we will have to pay an additional 20% to 30% more than what your tax bill would be in February, here are the numbers: Stow would pay more than $350 and up to more than $400 toward the levy for average home, and homeowners in Munroe Falls would pay more than $310 a year and up to $370 or more. Remember, the good people at the Fiscal Office are doing their best, but can't give Stow voters exact numbers until sometime in December, so please be patient with them. It's not their fault we wanted a new retroactived levy to be voting on before voters could know what their individual costs would be or how much they'll need to save up quickly in just 3 months to pay for the full increase from the first 6 months of 2011. We supporters accept that we are passing a retroactive tax for ALL of this past year, and those who have suffered financially and don't have that saved up maybe could just use a credit card?
That's just so cold. Family debt should be increased on those who can least afford it? Cold and heartless.
It is not only cold and heartless but your suggestion to just put addtional debt on a credit card is the reason this country is in the shape it is. It is totally nonsensical to ask someone who is struggling to pay taxes and home loan to incur additional HIGH INTEREST debt when the school board squanders money and then threatens residents rahter than have an adult conversation about school costs.
He was one of the key reasons along with other homeowners who made their own signs that actually were the ones that let so many people know last August that there was a levy issue to vote on. The school groups like the levy committee have a lot of money to have signs made and send out a number of mailings to parents about the levy, but I admire the regular folks who create their own signs. Of course, last time so many of those who took time to create their own signs in support of struggling homeowners ended up having their signs vandalized and even stolen. That was so sad. Anyhow, if you see anyone showing their public support for homeowners, senior citizens and families who are the ones truly hurting financially, honk your horn to show you appreciate what they're doing to support the truly hard hit in our towns. They are the ones who have such a small voice compared to the multi-million dollar organizations who can spend thousands to get something on the ballot, publicize it and spin it like it's your fault if they have to lock the school doors at night after educational classes are over. They blame you for cutting busing, when it was they who did that so they wouldn't have to bring down staff levels even though we've lost hundreds of student enrollments. A shout out to all supporters of our WHOLE community.