Voters in the Perrysburg School District will have a tax levy to decide on the Nov. 5 ballot, but it will likely not be a new money issue.
Superintendent Tom Hosler and Treasurer Randy Drewyor led a discussion on options at Monday’s board of education meeting. They seemed to settle on either a renewal or emergency tax levy.
“We’re going to lay out the path,” Mr. Drewyor said. “You’re going to have to chew through it yourselves.”
A five-year incremental levy that brings in $13.5 million annually — or 17 percent of the budget — is expiring Dec. 31.
“That’s the equivalent of 130 staff members,” Mr. Drewyor said, adding there are 480 total certificated staff.
This incremental levy is currently collecting 9.75 mills. Over its five years, it has varied between 7.8 mills and 10.7 mills.
“I just like the idea of an incremental,” said board president Eric Benington. “The pie gets cut into more pieces.”
However, the incremental levy — described as “unusual” by Mr. Drewyor — may be too risky to put before voters again.
“My thoughts on this are either to look at the renewal — which is what I lean more towards — or the emergency,” said board member Laura Meinke. “Asking for more right now is going to be difficult.”
In recent months, Perrysburg schools voters have turned down two tax issues that would have built a new elementary and paid for renovations in other schools. A 2.65-mill, 36-year bond levy and an 0.85-mill continuing levy that would have funded $87 million in improvements failed by 58 percent on March 19. On Nov. 7, 56 percent of voters rejected a $140 million bond issue.
On Monday, board members said they were worried about “kicking the can down the road” on new facility and money needs. However, they said it’s more important to put an issue on the ballot that will pass and keep the district financially sound.
“No matter how hard we try, we know costs are going up. We know that we’re growing,” said board member Lori Reffert. “We can't stop people from selling their land. We can’t stop people from building and moving to the district.”
Another concern is voter fatigue. Mr. Hosler said there are currently five levies that voters are asked to renew every few years. It is expected the board will ask for new operating funds, possibly in 2027.
“We also want to better balance the levy frequency and fatigue that exists in this community with the desire of the voters to approve taxes,” Mr. Hosler said. “It’s exhausting for voters.”
Board members were wary of trying to make some of those levies continuing. The district has four continuing levies that were passed in 1986, 1988, 1991, and 2016.
Sue Larimer said she hears from many voters who want to have a continual say on levies.
“I’m probably shying away a bit from the concept of a continuing levy,” Mr. Bennington added.
“We need to allow our constituents to have a certain amount of control, and that continuing takes away that control,” Ms. Meinke said.
Mr. Drewyor said another option for the board to consider is a 0.75-percent income tax, which would also generate $13.5 million. He said this option is “highly risky.” In May, 1991, Perrysburg school voters approved an income tax by four votes.
The board will continue discussions at a June 5 workshop. A vote is expected on June 17.
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