Five school districts ask for tax increases

Eight more districts will vote on renewal levies in November.

The deadline to file ballot issues for the November election has come and gone. Our story tells you who is seeking what.

Five local school districts are asking residents to vote on tax increases for their schools in Nov. 5 election, and eight more will vote on renewal levies that would keep school tax money flowing at the same rate, according to boards of election in Montgomery, Miami, Greene and Warren counties.

Wednesday afternoon was the deadline for schools, cities, townships and other governments to file ballot issues for the November election.

Tax-increase levies

Centerville City Schools are asking residents to approve a permanent 6.9-mill levy, of which 1 mill would go toward permanent improvements (facility upkeep, buses and other long-term assets) and the other 5.9 mills would go toward day-to-day operating costs.

West Carrollton residents will vote on a 37-year, 5.6-mill bond levy that would raise $41 million toward the construction of four new schools to replace the district’s existing school buildings. The rest of the money would come from the state.

Lebanon schools are asking voters to reconsider a four-year, 4.99-mill operating levy, after residents rejected a levy with those same terms by a 56-44 ratio in May.

Residents of the Bethel Local Schools in Miami County will decide on the district’s request for a five-year, 0.75% income tax increase to pay for regular operating expenses.

The Upper Valley Career Center is asking its voters to approve a permanent 1.5-mill property tax levy to provide additional funding for regular operating expenses.

Renewal levies

Renewals keep existing tax rates the same, but extend those levies into future years.

In Montgomery County, Northmont schools are asking voters to renew their existing 9-mill operating levy and to make it permanent. Brookville schools are seeking renewal of two tiny levies for another five years each – a 0.8-mill permanent improvement levy and a 0.24-mill operating levy. New Lebanon schools put their 0.75% income tax levy on the ballot for another fiveyear renewal.

Miamisburg schools are asking voters to approve their 8.3-mill substitute levy for another five

years. A substitute levy is similar to a renewal in that it keeps existing residents’ taxes the same, but allows the school district to gain revenue in the future when new homes and businesses are built.

In Miami County, Troy schools are seeking renewal of a 5.9-mill property tax levy for another five years to cover operating expenses. Tipp City schools, are asking voters to renew a 4.5mill levy for another five years. The levy is for regular operating costs, not buildings, after voters rejected a school construction issue in May.

Miami East schools have a 0.8-mill permanent improvement levy up for renewal for another five years. And Covington schools residents will vote on a five-year renewal of a 1.25% income tax.