District Closer to Putting Renewal Levy on Ballot

A 5-year 7.3-mill levy set to expire this year is closer to being on the November ballot. But this time, the is going to ask voters to approve the renewal levy for 10 years. 

The board voted 4-1 to direct Treasurer/CFO Catherine Bulgrin to have the county certify the district's value and how much millage will generate $7.3 million. 

Board Member Rod Armstrong cast the dissenting vote. 

"I don't feel that we need to go for a 10-year levy, in analyzing the five-year forecast (which was unanimously approved May 29) and knowing what our financial future is, I'm more comfortable dropping the millage by at least $2 million or $3 million and I'd like to go with a 2-year levy."

He explained that going for a 2-year levy would then fall in place with another levy that expires in 2016. 

"Then we could look to combine those," he said.

During the June 11 meeting, the board will be presented with a resolution with ballot language and a millage amount. Then, by Aug. 8, everything will be filed with the Summit County Board of Elections to place the levy on the November ballot. 

Bulgrin said passing the renewal levy, "which is not a new tax, is crucial."

The levy will still generate $7.3 million annually if passed in November, but because of new mainly decreased property values, Bulgrin said she is guessing the millage will be around 8.