Voters in three of Hamilton County’s six school districts will have an opportunity this year to decide whether or not to continue supplementing their local school funding with property tax revenue. School boards at Westfield, Sheridan and Carmel have asked that referendums be placed on a May 2 special election ballot.
The method of raising school revenue through referendum is allowed by state law as a way of giving local school districts more money than is provided by the annual distribution of state school assistance.
Most county schools have already taken advantage of the referendum method which by law also limits such a special levy to seven years in duration. If the school district wants to continue the levy, a public referendum must be held, and that is what is being prepared for this spring’s ballot. The amount of funds to be raised is also subject to increase or decrease at this time.
Westfield Washington Schools is also asking voters to approve a capital fund referendum of about 30 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for renovation and improvements at all their schools. The estimated cost is not to exceed $90 million.
Sheridan Community Schools is asking to increase its previously adopted referendum tax rate of 19 cents per $100 to a “not to exceed” rate of 25 cents per hundred. This rate would be effective in 2018.
Carmel Clay Schools is expected to be seeking a 19 cent rate which is slightly higher than the referendum approved seven years ago. But, due to slight decreases in other portions of the school rate, taxpayers will not see any overall increase in their school taxes.
In all three referendums, voters will simply register a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ when casting a ballot. There will be no candidates or other questions on the ballot. Usually there is no election in the year following a presidential election.
In this case, the schools asked for the special vote and will be paying for the cost of the election.
Turnout is expected to be light unless a referendum becomes controversial.