What's on the Ballot?
Ballot Language
An additional tax for the benefit of the Bay Village City School District for the purpose of general permanent improvements that the County Fiscal Officer estimates will collect $2,950,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 3.15 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $110 for each $100,000 of the County Fiscal Officer’s appraised value, for a continuing period of time, commencing in 2025, first due in calendar year 2026.
So, is this an Additional Tax?
No. Unfortunately the language on the ballot doesn't explain the mechanics behind how this will all work.
While the ballot states that this is an additional tax, it doesn't mean that you're going to see an increase to what you're currently playing in taxes. The new Permanent Improvement Levy replaces two existing bond levies. The amount that you were taxed for the bond levies will remain the same for the Permanent Improvement levy.
Think of this as revenue sources, eligible uses, and accounts.
In addition to funding that comes from the State of Ohio, our school district operates using revenue generated by taxes collected through levies and bond issues approved by voters in Bay Village.
Specific levies can be earmarked for operating funds and other related purposes, and bonds can be earmarked for construction. These individual sources can only be used for their intended purpose, and are audited separately as these funding sources are essentially separate accounts.
Since 2012, taxpayers in Bay Village have contributed $2.9 million per year to pay off middle school and general construction bonds.
The school district has a unique opportunity via this Permanent Improvement Levy to combine the revenue generated from these bonds ($2.9 million annually) into a new funding source account where the funds can be used for more than just construction. The best part, is that this can happen with no increase to residents.
If approved, the same tax rate from the bonds will remain the same, but the funds will be redirected to ongoing capital improvements and updates across the district, as outlined in the Finance + Facilities for the Future Plan.