Thursday, July 27, 2006

By CANDY BROOKS
ThisWeek Staff Writer

The idea of paying for schools with an income tax levy is again being considered by the Worthington Board of Education.

On Monday, the board approved by 3-2 votes two resolutions requesting certification of income tax rates with the Ohio Department of Taxation.

The move does not commit the board to seeking an income tax levy in November, but is the first step that must be taken for that to happen.

The state will be asked to tell the district the size of income tax that would be needed to raise approximately $18.8-million annually.

The board will consider two types of income tax.

One would tax all income of individuals and estates.

A second would be levied on earned income only, with income from pensions, interest earnings and other similar incomes exempt.

The second form is designed to benefit senior citizens.

At public forums held prior to the defeat of the 6.25-mill combination operating/permanent improvements levy in May, many older residents stepped forward to request the board consider an income tax levy.

The idea is opposed by others, though, in part because it taxes individuals more heavily than businesses.

Some older residents also believe it is not fair to exclude them from sharing the burden of supporting schools.

Board member David Bressman, who joined Robert Horton in voting against the resolutions, said he is not ready to turn to income taxes.

"In a year or two it might make sense. Right now it is not fair," he said following Monday's meeting.

Gary Tyack, Marc Schare, and Jennifer Best voted for the resolutions, though Schare and Best questioned the amount that board treasurer Jonathan Boyd said was needed.

Boyd said he used the $18.8-million figure because it was the amount that would be needed to balance the books following the 18 months the district would be forced to wait to collect the taxes following approval of voters.

Best said she had been under the impression that an income tax would have to generate approximately $8- or $9-million a year.

"This number is obviously way high," Schare said.

Since the board is not forced to place an income tax on the ballot each time it asks for state certification, they suggested the board approve several resolutions.

Resolutions to raise $9-million, $12-million, or $15-million could be passed, then the board could decide which one would be best for the district, they said.

Schare said the topic would be discussed in the treasurer's advisory board meeting set for Tuesday night, then brought back at a later board meeting.

The board has until mid-August to request certification for an income tax levy.

Several meetings have been set up for the board and the community to discuss levy options and possible budget reductions prior to placing any kind of levy on the November ballot.

On Aug. 9, between 7 and 9 p.m., the public is invited to a forum sponsored by the Council for Public Deliberation at the Griswold Center. Topic will be "Who Should Pay for Worthington Schools -- Income Tax vs. Property Tax vs. No Tax."

The event is not an official board meeting, but board members are invited to come and listen.

A special board meeting to discuss an operating levy is set for Aug. 7. Boyd will present new financial forecast and levy scenarios, including an income tax.

A public forum sponsored by the board is being planned for Thursday, Aug. 10.

A regular meeting, at which a levy vote may be held, is scheduled for Aug. 14.

<center>cbrooks@thisweeknews.com