Springfield schools to ask voters for tax renewal

The treasurer said the district is not asking for any new money.
VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- The Springfield Local school board will ask district residents on March 2 whether they want to renew the annual 1 percent income tax.
The school board, at its Tuesday meeting, directed Edward Sobnosky, district treasurer, to ask the county elections board to include the measure on the primary ballot.
School officials said the money is needed to help the district cover current expenses.
"We are not asking for any new money," Sobnosky explained. "It's been well over 10 years since the district has asked for any new money. This is a request for district residents to renew the tax that has been in place for the past several years. Again, it's not new money."
Sobnosky reiterated the importance of making sure the income tax remains.
"Without it, we won't make it through the next several years," he said. "With it, we will still have challenges."
Last month, the district asked the state tax commissioner to determine the property tax rate and income tax rate that would be needed to generate $1,151,000 annually. The state tax commissioner certified that an income tax rate of 0.9590 percent, rounded up to 1 percent, or a property tax rate of 10.29 mills, would be required.
The district determined it would be necessary to raise the money through the income tax. The current income tax is due to expire at the end of next year.
If voters in the school district approve the renewal, it would span a five-year period beginning Jan. 1, 2005.