Greenville Schools Levy
Questions & Answers, Set 5 

It seems that you are representing the $25,000 exclusion/reduction of tax value for those past 65 or disabled. If so, I suggest this to be a misrepresentation as those folks already receive this exclusion and shall not see additional exclusions as part of an increase in tax liability in support of schools. Correct?

The Homestead Exemption allows senior citizens and permanently and totally disabled Ohioans to reduce their property tax burden by shielding some of the market value of their home from taxation. The exemption applies to any new millage that is put on the ballot.  The $25,000 exclusion on a 5.69 levy equates to a tax reduction of $ 43.57 per year regardless of the value of the property being taxed.

For more information on the Homestead exemption please go to this link and type in “Homestead”: http://www.tax.ohio.gov/faq.aspx  

The BOE spent more than the valuation of the land at the 121 property without consulting the voters first and before they had gone to the voters to ask them for their permission to go forward with building a new school. That is backwards and a disrespect of citizens. That property is worthless now. Perhaps we would vote to build a new school if we trusted them to spend our money wisely and with our consultation.

A previous Board of Education, responsible for that purchase, followed all elements of the Ohio Revised Code.  The Board went through a rigorous selection process reviewing six different parcels of land before settling on the existing acreage which was adjacent to twelve acres already owned by the school.  The infrastructure that existed in proximity to the Ohio Street Property made it a much more viable and valuable property, when considering the overall costs.

There is no legal requirement to poll the voters on proposed land purchases. The Ohio Revised Code allows Boards of Education to acquire, hold, possess, and dispose of real and personal property.   

The 61.50 acres on Ohio Street is not worthless and in reality may be valued more than the original purchase price based on rising land prices.  It is time to move forward and help not only the future students who will directly gain from this improved learning environment, but also the entire community. 

Why didn't the BOE buy the land on Eidson instead of the land on 121? That would have been a much better use of taxpayer money.

The Eidson Road land needed additional infrastructure for water, sewer, and fire protection that would have required significant taxpayer dollars.  While the original sales price of the Eidson land appeared to be below market value for acquisition, these development costs, coupled with the price, made the Eidson Road property a much more expensive option. 

Will there be dollars from this levy allocated to operate the new school to its full capacity after it is built? Or will they keep doggiing us for more money? I've seen many districts around the state that have built new schools only to have to come back to voters for more money because they couldn't afford to operate them. 

This 5.69 bond levy includes .5 mills for future operating and maintenance costs.  It is not the intent to come back to the community for more money, but school districts are also at the mercy of Federal and State funding provided to local schools.  Our Kindergarten through Eighth Grade project is basically the same square footage of the four buildings being closed.  Our operational cost will decline with utility efficiencies and the decreased need for inspections in a new building.  Modular structures are less efficient and safe than a new bricks and mortar structure.  Many districts have increased their size when building new buildings which will create increased cost of operations. 

Why not an income tax?

Income tax restricts the number of payers making it more costly for individual taxpayers (corporate businesses do not pay school district income tax).  It would cost the average taxpayer an additional 1 % to 1.25 % of their annual income to use this option.  The loans generated by this method  carry a higher interest rate, costing the taxpayer more in the overall scope of the project. 

Why not a sales tax?

Sales tax cannot be used because it is not an option provided under state law.  The County Commissioners are the only body who can increase local sales taxes and their jurisdiction covers the entire county, not just the Greenville School District.  

Why place the burden solely on property owners?

Property taxes touch everyone, either directly or indirectly.  Property tax issues (Government Bonds) in Ohio are viewed as safe debt instruments, assuring the best interest rates, all to the benefit of local taxpayers. 

Will a new building help or hurt the district's financial situation?

It will help because we will eliminate excessive costs borne by the district in expensive repairs, maintenance, and operating costs. An example of a costly repair was the expenditure to the Junior High School façade costing over a million dollars, with 100% of the cost shouldered by the taxpayers. Ohio is providing 43% of the costs to build a new building.  The citizens in the Greenville community have helped fund hundreds of new schools throughout the State of Ohio since the OSFC/OFCC program began.  It is now time for Greenville to receive it fair share of those state monies, instead of our taxes continually going elsewhere within the State. 

Will farm owners participating in CAUV be required to pay more than just the 50 cents an acre annually?

The cost to CAUV participants is currently much greater than 50 cents per acre. The projection for the cost of the levy ranges from $ 2.10 to 2.60 per acre based on various soil types. 

When the BOE first bought the land for new schools, it was supposed to be for K-12.  Then, all of the sudden, it was only big enough to accommodate a k-8.  Next time, it was suddenly large enough again for k-12.  Now, it’s shrunk again on only k-8 will fit.

There was never a formal plan by the BOE to build a Kindergarten through Twelfth grade on the Ohio Street site. The original configuration was for a Preschool through Fifth Grade building, all at local taxpayer expense.  Then, due to the problem with the Junior High School façade in 2008, the state would only provide funding under the Exceptional Needs Program for a Fifth Grade through Eighth Grade Building.  Three attempts were made for this proposal.  Then, in 2011, we qualified for the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program which allowed the district to determine their needs.  A committee of community members was formed and concluded that a new Kindergarten through Eighth Grade building was the greatest immediate need for the district.   

Why put the issue on in a special election and what is the approximate cost?

Election costs range from $8,000 to $25,000 depending on how many participants are involved.  All governments share in the costs of holding elections.  Special elections do cost more only because there are fewer participants.  However, timing factors may influence the cost of the project much more than any additional costs of levies. 

Will the new budget bill impact this levy as far as rollback of taxes?

The budget bill in Columbus eliminated the 12.5 percent property tax rollback for new taxes, beginning with the November election.  A vote for the levy in August will ensure that voters, living in their homes, will continue to enjoy a reduction in taxes.  For example, an individual who would have owed $ 200 in taxes on a new levy will owe $ 229 without the exemption.  This will not impact the current levy!