MIFFLINTOWN - The Juniata County School District has placed the following voter referendum question on the Tuesday election ballot.
According to information provided by the school district, the question will read:
Referendum Question
Raising Real Property Taxes Beyond the Index
Do you favor the Juniata County School District imposing additional 11.353 mills in real estate tax? This equates to a $189.62 tax for a property assessed at the average assessment of $16,702. The revenue generated from the increased tax rate will be used to balance the district's 2011-2012 budget. The current tax rate is 52.35 mills.
Nonlegal Interpretative Statement
Under Act 1 of 2006, the Juniata County School District may not impose a tax increase of more than 1.9 percent unless voters approve. Because of the extraordinary circumstances due to funding cuts from the state, a tax increase of 11.353 mills is required to balance the District's 2011-2012 budget, which amount exceeds 1.9 percent. The school board has determined that this tax increase is required in order to allow the District to continue to provide educational programming at its present level.
The estimated revenue that will be generated from the increased tax rate is $2,281,953.
If the majority of voters vote "yes," the increased tax rate will be imposed and the District will continue providing educational programming as determined by the school board and the following programs will continue: Kindergarten; Vocational Agriculture; Building Trades; Industrial Arts; Business Education; Family & Consumer Science; Secondary Music and Art, extracurricular activities such as sports, band and plays; 2 secondary guidance counselors and 2.5 secondary secretaries.
If the majority of voters vote "no," the increased tax rate stated in the referendum question will not be imposed and programs listed above will cease to exist.
The current tax rate is 52.35 mills. The proposed tax rate is 63.703 mills, which is an increase of 11.353 mills effective for the school years starting July 1, 2011. The proposed tax increase equates to $1 per $100 of assessed value or a $189.62 tax increase for property assessed at the average property assessment of $16,702.
Your vote on this referendum question will not affect the school district's ability to receive State funds that will be used for property tax relief.
