Published Tuesday, July 16, 2002
MERCER
Herald Staff Writer
Mercer Area School Directors voted 5-to-3 Monday use additional state money to give taxpayers a è-mill credit on their 2002-03 school property taxes.
But that doesn't mean they'll pay less than the 50-mill tax levy this year. Dr. Lawrence Connelly, schools superintendent, said the credit will be applied to next year's tax bill.
"We will take that è mill and put it in an escrow account this year. Then move it into next year's budget to offset that budget by è mill," Connelly said.
Connelly said the district is still collecting the è-mill because tax bills already went out and it would cost about $12,000 to send new bills to everyone.
"It's the logistics of trying to do something," he said. "If we sent checks to everyone, we would have to wait for everyone to pay their taxes. It could be three years from now that someone pays their taxes and the process could get very complicated."
A 3.67-mill tax increase was approved in June to pay for the 2002-03 budget.
After that budget was approved in June, state legislators approved a budget that provided $95,000 more for Mercer than directors expected. Directors had to reopen the budget to account for the money, which can only be used to pay down debt, provide tax relief or restore programs and positions cut to balance budgets.
After pondering different options for spending the additional money, the board ultimately decided to do a little of everything.
The board decided to replace the high school computer labs, upgrade textbooks, pay off a van and restore department head positions cut from the previous budget.
Board members struggled over how much millage credit would go back to taxpayers.
"I think we should definitely keep the taxpayer in mind," said Board Treasurer Albert French, who proposed among other things, a 3/4-mill credit for taxpayers.
About $40,000 will cover the è-mill credit, which for the average taxpayer equals about $7, Connelly said; $17,000 will go to high school computer labs; $20,000 for van debt; and $18,000 for textbooks and department heads.
The district planned to pay off $20,000 of a $40,000 van debt this year. The extra $20,000 will pay off the other half and lighten next year's budget load.
Board Vice President Jeffrey Brandes said, "Paying off the debt gives you more bang for your buck."
"You're actually saving the taxpayer more than you're giving them back," he said.
The old high school computers will go to the elementary school for fourth- through sixth- grade classes, which are already wired for them.
Directors Alistair Kelly, David Lengel, Linda Wishart, William Gathers and Brandes all voted yes on the budget revisions. Directors Pamela Mosely, Walter Darraugh and French voted against the plan.