By Jeff Vorva
The passing of the Beecher 200-U tax levy had a barnyard feel to it with chickens coming to roost.
District Superintendent Jack Gaham threw out a lot of facts, figures, and percentages during a Truth In Taxation hearing at the December 11 board meeting. Some residents were confused about the increases, thinking this was new money the board was looking for.
The tax levy increases were a result of a yes vote on a referendum in June, and the current vote on the levy is not an additional tax, according to Gaham.
“What was passed in (June) now is being verified today to take effect next year,” he said. “A community member asked me about this, and I want to make sure it’s abundantly clear that this is not in addition to what happened in (June). I had some very angry people inform me ‘hey, I gave you a raise, why are you asking for more money?’
“We are not asking for more money. I am implementing the referendum that was passed. So, this is the chickens coming to roost. We are now actually showing you what happened with the passage of the referendum.”
The bottom line is the district is asking for a 5.35 increase, roughly $193 per $100,000 that a home is worth.
There are a few fluid circumstances involved with the assessed value of a house, and that doesn’t come out until March, Gaham said.
But nothing on the levy is new.
“Just so we’re all very clear we are not seeking – that is the wrong verb – a 23 percent raise, we sought it,” Gaham said. “It was already asked for and approved by voters by 55 percent.”
Comings and goings
The board acknowledged the resignation of full-time bus driver Robert Koyn.
It also approved the employment of girls soccer assistant coach Dawn Compton.