Bond Levy Election Day
Published at
(Political Columnist Mark Richardson)
Homeowners in school districts across the state will vote today to determine whether levies and bonds totaling $398.2 million are both reasonable and necessary. Local school districts are seeking a total of seven bond issues and 38 levies in hopes of building new schools and supplementing operational costs.
Supplement levies and general obligation school bonds are often confused or misunderstood. A supplemental levy supports the general school fund that finances everyday operations such as salaries, new teachers, books, supplies and materials and fuel.
General obligation bonds on the other hand, are not allowed to be used toward the general fund, but, rather, are used for development, upgrade, or reconstruction of buildings. Bonds require a two-thirds approval from voters where only a majority vote is necessary for levies.
Commonly, schools will inform voters that the renewal of the current levy won’t increase their taxes, but that isn’t necessarily true. The levy is based on property values, and if the property is determined to be worth more, the amount assessed increases with the value. However, this is true for all property taxes, not just levies and bonds.
There are more than a dozen districts in east Idaho that are vying for supplemental levies and two seeking school bonds. Three of the largest districts in eastern Idaho are among those seeking levy or bond money. For information about voting locations contact your county clerk.
Bonneville Joint School District 93
District 93’s levy has become one of the most contentious requests in recent history. Groups have organized both in favor and in opposition to the $56.1 million bond.The levy is being petitioned for the construction of a new high school. It is anticipated to by completed by the fall of 2018.
Following a resounding rejection in 2014 for $92 million, the district is returning this year with a significantly reduced amount.
“I think we’ve done a much better job listening to our community this time,” Superintendent Chuck Shackett told Idaho Education News. “We were trying to take too big of a bite at once.”
The district organized a Facility Planning Committee, a group comprised of patrons both for and against the original bond.
“We told them what we needed …. and said that whatever you tell us, that is what we are going to run the bond for,” Shackett said.
The high school under consideration is expected to be fairly bare bones including neither an auditorium nor a sports stadium in order to hold costs down.
The district has been warned by inspectors of safety concerns due to overcrowding at both Bonneville and Hillcrest high schools. Over 800 new students have enrolled in the district this year.
The term of the bond will be 17.5 years, with a projected net interest of $9.5 million. Property owners can anticipate a monthly cost of $4.92 per $100,000 of taxable value.
Idaho Falls District #91
District #91 is requesting the renewal a $6.8 million levy for two years for a total of $13.6 million. Levies are required to be renewed every two years by patrons. Whereas this is only a renewal, and not an increase, the levy should not impact property taxes.
“The levy provides the district with critical funding to recruit and retain the highest quality teachers,” according to the district’s website, “and to ensure all students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to be successful after high school.”
The amount of the levy has not changed in twelve years, since 2003, according to the district website.
Pocatello/Chubbuck School District #25
School District #25 also is seeking a supplementary levy, but they are requesting an increase over previous years. During 2014-15, the district collected nearly $8.5 million, accounting for approximately 14% of their operating costs.
District officials said the increase is necessary due to state funding cuts of $1.8 million since 2005 all while student enrollment soared; to cover standard overhead, including water, power and insurance, that has redoubled over the years due to inflation; as well as sufficient funds to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers and staff.
The district is petitioning an increase of $750,000 per year to $9.25 million, or $18.5 over the two years of authorization. The increase in levy would cost property owners an additional $ 1.74 per $100,000 in value, increasing from $19.70 to $21.44 in taxable home value, after homeowners exemptions.