"We feel it's a more fair tax to the individuals out here," said Madison treasurer William Richardson. "We keep getting the (message) to do something other than property taxes."

That message was also sent to Ross educators after voters rejected a property tax levy last March. A poll of the community showed residents might be more amenable to an income tax, board members said. The one-half percent tax would bring about $1.2 million annually to the district.

That, said board member Marcia Canter would ease the tax burden on senior citizens and those with large pieces of property.

"It's a better way of sharing the tax burden," Canter said

After the March defeat, Ross officials trimmed $30,000 from last school year's budget. Another $700,000 spending reduction was put in place for the current school year.

Madison's request would double the income tax approved in 1990 for the schools. The $740,000 that Madison's income tax increase would bring in annually would be enough to maintain programs for at least the next five years, Richardson said.

To end the current school year in the black, Madison officials reduced spending by $200,000.

Meanwhile, in Monroe, voters are asked to renew a five-year, 5.95-mill levy that won't increase taxes. The levy costs the owner of a $100,000 home $182 per year.

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