By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

Edgewood Schools on Friday joined a growing list of Greater Cincinnati districts that are considering money issues for the November ballot.

In Butler County, seven of the 10 districts could have ballot issues. The Kings, Franklin and Little Miami schools in Warren County are looking at money issues, as are seven in Hamilton County and two in Clermont County.

YOUR VOICE

The Edgewood Board of Education took the first in a two-step process to resubmit a 6.9-mill operating levy after two failed issues this year. If approved, the issue would bring almost $2.5 million annually to the growing district of almost 3,700 students. Taxes would increase about $211 annually on a $100,000 house.

The action came after a brief discussion whether to limit the levy to five years. Under that scenario, the district would get no extra money from new residents who would move into the district, Edgewood Treasurer Brian Rabe said.

"With a continuing levy, you would get a little more,'' Rabe said.

"In five years (when it would have to be renewed), then we'd be worse off than we are now and would have to go for more,'' board member Sharon Anderson said.

A second meeting to put the issue on the ballot is scheduled for Monday.

Elsewhere in Butler County, Lakota has voted to put a 7.7-mill issue on the ballot, reduced from the 11.67 levy voters rejected in March. It would provide $12.4 million for day-to-day operations and $80 million to build three schools.

Madison Township educators are looking at asking voters to approve a 0.5 percent income tax for the schools. The district has not asked voters for any new operating dollars since 1990, when voters approved a 0.5 percent income tax. The final decision would be made at an Aug. 16 meeting.

Income taxes are also being considered in the Talawanda and Ross schools. Both districts are looking at property taxes as well.

"Our board realizes the immediate need for additional operating funds for our schools,'' Ross Superintendent Todd Yohey said. "I commend them for asking for community input on weighing the property tax option versus the income tax option."

Ross residents may speak out at a meeting set for 8 p.m. Wednesday in the high school.

In Talawanda, educators will decide Aug. 16 whether to put a 1 percent income tax that would raise about $3.9 million annually or a 6.9 mill property tax that would raise about $3.5 million on the November ballot.

Putting a five-year, 5.95-mill emergency levy renewal on the November ballot will be discussed at Monday's Monroe Board of Education meeting. It would continue to raise about $1.5 annually if approved and would not increase taxes.

The Fairfield Board is asking residents to give their input at a meeting called for 7 p.m. Monday at the high school. At that time, the board will decide whether to put a levy on the November ballot. Four have failed in the last three years, including a 6.9 mill levy voters turned down in March and Aug. 3.

Franklin educators will discuss results of the failed levy Monday. Tuesday has been set aside to talk about a November operating levy. Both meetings will begin at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Little Miami's board is looking at a 4.5 mill-bond issue to pay for a new junior high, an elementary and additions to its 4-year-old high school. A final vote is expected Aug. 17.

The Kings Board of Education is looking at a 5.9 mill operating levy that would raise $4 million ) annually. But the final amount won't be determined until the board's Aug. 17 meeting.

Money issues are also under consideration in the Cincinnati Public, Finneytown, Northwest, Reading, Three Rivers, Winton Woods, Sycamore, Milford and Clermont Northeastern districts.