Residents: We can't afford any more taxes

News photo by Ann Tormet
Longtime Worthington resident Kathy Hamer speaks at Monday’s levy workshop at Thomas Worthington High School.

By PAMELA WILLIS

The majority of Worthington City School District residents who attended Monday's levy workshop and forum said they are worried about paying higher taxes.

The forum was held Monday evening in the library at Thomas Worthington High School.

Treasurer Jonathan Boyd said last week that an operating levy request of 5.25 mills would be needed to offset a projected budget deficit of nearly $23 million by the end of fiscal year 2009.

Jim Calvert said he is retired and cannot afford another tax increase.

"My income has not increased one penny since June 1990," Calvert said. "I've voted for every school levy in the past 40 years, but it is going to be very difficult for retired people to approve this levy request. I think an income tax might be the way to go."

Kathy Hamer said her property taxes have increased 53 percent since 2000.

"Our utility bills have also increased by 57 percent -- these are realities for all of us," Hamer said. "But in addition to retired people being dramatically impacted by higher taxes, we also have young families who are impacted. Our daughter has two preschool children and she would like to live in Worthington, but with the high cost of mortgages and taxes, she can't afford it. Many young families will not be able to afford to move into our community."

Hamer said she would like to hear about cuts in salaries and expenditures before residents are asked to approve higher taxes.

Boyd told her the district has cut 130 employee positions since 2001.

"We had a task force look at our finances and programs to discover any inefficiencies," Boyd said. "When I made a millage calculation last August, we were looking at needing 9 mills instead of 5.25 mills. This amount of millage may be the best we can do at this time."

"The people in my neighborhood are not going to be able to approve this levy request," said Deborah Meyer. "I think you should look at extracurricular activities and have families share more of the cost of these, and maybe look into a sales tax."

Boyd said extracurricular fees were doubled in 2003, and that "current law allows only a countywide sales tax, so all the residents of a county would have to vote for it."

"Worthington currently has one of the highest tax percentages in Ohio," another resident said. "With this new tax, our taxes will be higher than Upper Arlington and Dublin."

Another senior citizen said board members should "sharpen their pencils and go through expenses like every prudent housewife, and consider what to cut.

"Look at school expenditures, and then come back to us and ask for money," she said.

A few residents spoke in favor of the levy request.

Charlie Wilson was concerned about the value of his property.

"My ability to pay for the college education of my sons is extremely dependent on the value of my home," Wilson said. "Without a high-quality school system, our property values could go down."

Another resident said there should be coordination among the city and school district when asking for levy requests.

"The library levy is going to cost us almost $500 a year," she said. "I wish there was some shared planning with the other organizations asking for tax dollars. We only have one wallet."

Senior citizen and former school board member Abramo Ottolenghi also asked residents to "keep the quality of the district's education offering in mind."

"I am also on a fixed income, but I have noticed a decrease in the availability of courses for students, and you have to remember we are in competition with districts like Upper Arlington and Bexley," Ottolenghi said. "And little by little, the language choices have disappeared. We seniors have to look to the state legislators for some answers. Twenty-two other states have some kind of tax deferral for seniors."

Jonathan Bloom said he was a member of former Superintendent Rick Fenton's task force, which examined school finances and operations over 18 months.

"I'm in business and I would like to think I'm an expert in my field," Bloom said. "I would think the new superintendent and the treasurer are experts in their field also, and if they think a new levy request is needed, then I am not qualified to say they are wrong. The challenge is to keep the best quality school district we can."

Board President Gary Tyack said board members will set a date soon for another public levy workshop, to occur during the week of Feb. 6.

Carolyn Donner said she has been in the district for 32 years.

"We cannot pay these higher taxes," she said. "Our only option is to move. We have always supported the schools, but maybe the district has to find a way to reduce costs, or ask for an income tax