Replacement levy aims to modernize

The Avon Board of Education will ask voters to approve a replacement levy Nov. 7 to allow Avon Local Schools district to modernize and plan for the future.

According to Superintendent Michael Laub, the district presently has five $12 million emergency levies in place at fixed amounts, which under the present framework need to be approved separately. If granted approval from voters, the replacement levy will bundle them all into one continuing levy to be voted on once. The proposal does not ask voters for additional money. After months of exploring the issue, the Board approved a resolution on May 22 to submit the question to voters.

“One of the things we keep hearing from our voters is, ‘why are we always on the ballot’ and we are trying to react, Laub said.

Laub added while the levy will not completely solve the district’s school funding issues, it will allow them to plan ahead for the future and mitigate any potential unplanned revenue shortfalls which could arise in the future.

Under the present framework, the millage for the five emergency levies Avon Schools have already approved are based on property valuations at the time of their approval which covers a ten-year period The new levy would create some additional tax revenue for the district by allowing to take advantage new construction in the area.

“We’re asking people to keep paying for the same things so we can run the same programs,” Laub said. “For us, seeing a little bit of additional revenue from additional construction will help.”

In a special meeting held on Jan. 28 the Board heard a presentation by Mike Sobul and Ernie Strawser of Public Finance Resources Inc., a consulting firm which works with municipal governments to assist with forecasting.

According to an analysis by Sobul and Strawser, passage of a replacement levy has the potential to create an additional $1.4 million in revenue in 2021 alone by expanding the tax base as a result of new housing construction in the area and creating more natural revenue growth for the district.

In the lead up to the election, the district has already met with several area groups and will be to sending out literature on the proposal to residents in the mail and Laub is strongly encouraging people in the area to reach out directly to Avon Schools if they have questions.

“Our job is to make sure people understand what’s being asked and voters will need to choose whether they support that,” Laub said.