Wednesday, July 14, 1999
Middletown/Monroe to seek levy
$8.2M renewal for operating expenses
BY SUE KIESEWETTER
Enquirer Contributor
MIDDLETOWN — Voters in the Middletown/Monroe School District will be asked Nov. 2 to renew an operating levy that represents nearly 15 percent of the district's $55 million general fund.
The school board this week took the first of two steps by declaring a need for the levy and adopting a resolution asking the Butler County auditor to certify the necessary millage to raise $8.2 million.
Once the millage is determined, the board must pass a second resolution — tentatively scheduled for the Aug. 9 meeting — to place the matter before voters.
The emergency levy was first approved in 1990 and was renewed in 1995. If approved, collections will begin in Janu ary 2001.
Since its approval, the levy has dropped from 11 mills in 1990 to 9.5 mills in 1995 to about 8.15 mills today, said Edmund Pokora, district treasurer. Another drop — to 8 mills or just below — is expected in January, Mr. Pokora said.
“It's important to emphasize this is for operations and will not raise taxes,” said Dr. Mark Frazer, vice president of the school board.
“This will provide us with some security,” Mr. Pokora said. “We know we have to face a bond issue. This will allow the operations to continue.”
Having a steady stream of money is particularly important to the district because of recent legislation, Mr. Pokora said. Taxes schools now receive which are paid by power plants are being lowered over several years, and inventory taxes businesses pay will be phased out altogether.
Projections for the next five years include money that would be raised by the levy to keep the district in the black, Mr. Pokora said. A recently completed state audit praises the district for its spending but said passage of the renewal is critical to the district's finances. Without the money, the district would be facing a deficit, Mr. Pokora said.
Earlier this year, voters rejected a $97.4 million bond issue to pay for a five-year program that included upgrading facilities. The package was the result of nearly two years of study by the district's busi ness collaborative and its facilities group, along with input from several community groups.
Board members are waiting for Miami University to complete a survey of residents before deciding whether to resubmit the same package to voters or modify it. Survey results, expected next month, plus information obtained during community forums, will be evaluated before the board decides.
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