Perrysburg board narrows levy options

Perrysburg school officials narrowed down their options today for how much money they want to ask from taxpayers in the Nov. 6 election.

The Perrysburg Board of Education is crafting a new levy proposal to replace an incremental tax levy that expires at the end of this year.

With an incremental tax, the district will ask voters to approve a set dollar amount that increases annually to help fund the schools’ operating budget. The incremental tax is different from more traditional levies where voters approve a specific millage amount.

The homeowner of a $200,000 house currently pays $609 annually for the incremental levy, which generated $7.57 million this year.

Under the new proposal, the board is considering asking that same homeowner to pay an additional $195 in the first year, collecting $10 million annually.

With the first option, taxes would increase another $81 annually starting in the second year during the four-year levy. The district’s tax revenue would grow $1 million annually on top of the $10 million already collected.

Under the second option, the homeowner of a $200,000 home would still pay the same $195 more in taxes in the first year. But taxes would grow about $97 more annually during the remaining three years, generating an additional $1.25 million in addition to the $10 million.

Officials touted the incremental levy as a way to generate only what the district needs, raising taxes gradually over a period of time as costs rise due to inflation.

“Just the mechanics of the levy make all the sense in the world,” said district treasurer Matt Feasel during this morning’s finance committee meeting.

If the levy gets voted down, especially at a time when state funding is shrinking, the district could potentially close an elementary school, lay off teachers, and cut extracurricular activities, officials said.

“If it fails, this is a disaster,” said school board member Gretchen Downs at the meeting this morning.

However, Superintendent Thomas Hosler stressed the district has not determined specific details on possible cuts.

“It’s speculation,” Mr. Hosler said. “We need to come up with a plan.”

The school board is expected to determine at a July 23 meeting which proposal to place on the ballot.

Aug. 8 is the deadline for getting ballot information to the Wood County Board of Elections.

Contact Gabrielle Russon at: grusson@theblade.com, 419-351-0361 or on Twitter @GabrielleRusson.