VERSAILLES – Versailles Exempted Village School District is seeking renewal of a 1 percent income tax levy on March 15.
“In 2004 it was 0.5 percent,” said Versailles Superintendent Aaron Moran. “In 2008 it was 0.75 percent. In 2012 it was 1 percent.”
Moran said the levy committee talked to the community about the needs of the school and the village before setting the amount for the renewal.
“We went out and talked to quite a few groups about where the levy should be at and decided to keep it at 1 percent for renewal,” Moran said.
The 1 percent income tax applies to school district income of individuals and estates. It would be in effect for four years, beginning Jan. 1, 2017.
Moran said the levy is on the March ballot because this is the first opportunity to renew. If it were not to pass, it would be placed again on the November ballot. Either way, collection would begin at the same time.
The superintendent said the levy provides about $1.875 million for current expenses, and it covers virtually all operating expenses for the year.
“We are very fortunate to have such strong community support,” Moran said.
Butler Twp. needs cemetery support
BUTLER TWP. – Butler Township voters will be asked to continue their modest but vital support for the upkeep of the township cemeteries through a levy on the March 15 primary ballot.
The proposed levy is a renewal of a 0.35-mill property tax for the upkeep, maintenance and operation of the township cemeteries.
Township Trustee Thomas Hans said the township in in charge of seven cemeteries – two of them active cemeteries. He said the township contracts for mowing and for any tree trimming or cutting that needs to be done.
The “active cemeteries” in Butler Township are (New) Castine Cemetery and Otterbein Cemetery. The inactive cemeteries are Mills (also called Foutz) Cemetery, Harter Cemetery, (Old) Castine Cemetery, Wilt Cemetery, Beech Grove Cemetery and Railroad Cemetery.
The levy, Hans said, brings in about $11,000.
The levy on the March ballot is a continuing levy that would commence in 2016 and first come due in calendar year 2017.
