Issue No. 17 — Highland Local Schools levy
HIGHLAND DISTRICT — Highland Local Schools District voters will see Issue No. 17, a 10-year, 7.9-mill renewal levy originally passed in 1998.
The levy, which collects $3.56 million annually, currently costs the owner of a $100,000 home $178.77 in property taxes, according to the Medina County Auditor’s Office. The renewal is not a tax increase and will be used to maintain current services, said Superintendent Bruce Armstrong. He added that income generated from the levy represents 17 percent of the district’s total tax revenue and will be used to maintain services.
Treasurer Mary Markle said that funding is used for operating expenses.
According to officials, Highland stands to lose about $3.5 million from the district’s operating budget if the levy fails. Armstrong said with such a large portion of funding at stake, cuts would need to be made if the levy is rejected.
According to the Auditor’s Office, the levy is currently collected at 5.68 mills. Armstrong said that in accordance with Ohio House Bill 920, as property value in the district appreciates, the actual millage rate the levy collects at rolls back. Therefore, though the levy is listed as 7.9 mills, it would collect at its current 5.68, and could decrease further if property values in the district rise, Armstrong said.
To read a previously published, more detailed story on the levy, visit www.akron.com and click on “West Side Leader” under “Election ’07.”
— By Mike D’Agruma
Editor’s note: This issue will appear as No. 17 for affected Summit County voters. In Medina County, local issues are not numbered on the ballot.
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