A public information session about the proposed Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. operating referendum is scheduled for Thursday.
The session is the second of five public information sessions that are scheduled through March in preparation for the public’s vote on the referendum in the May 5 primary.
The session will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at Columbus North High School.
If approved by voters in May, the referendum would increase BCSC’s property taxes by $0.156 per $100 of assessed value to roughly $1.01 starting in 2021. BCSC officials initially had sought a $0.195 per $100 of assessed valuation increase, but lowered the request before the public information sessions began.
A total of 86% of the increased property tax revenue would be spent on employee recruitment and retention and 14% on student safety and security, according to figures from BCSC.
According to a property tax calculator on BCSC’s website, a home with an assessed value $141,800 — the average home value in BCSC’s tax district — would see an estimated annual property tax increase of $93.48, or $7.79 per month, under the proposed rate increase.
A property assessed at a value of $300,000 could expect to see an increase of around $253.89 per year under the new proposed rate, or $21.16 per month.
Bartholomew County’s property tax rate in 2019 was $0.8512, lower than the state average of $1.07, according to figures provided by BCSC.
The school corporation is seeking voter approval in the May 5 primary for an operating referendum projected to generate around $7.8 million per year in additional property tax revenue to fund teacher and support staff salary increases and student safety.
“These dollars would not (be for) raises for administrators. It would be support staff and teacher salaries,” Roberts said during the first public information session at Taylorsville Elementary School on Feb. 6.
At the sessions, an opportunity to register to vote will be available. A laptop computer will also be available for visitors to use to determine what a taxpayer might pay based on the assessed valuation of their home.
In addition to Thursday’s session, other upcoming public information sessions are planned.
Upcoming sessions will be held at 6 p.m. at the following locations:
- Rockcreek Elementary School, 13000 E. County Road 200S, on Feb. 27
- Mt. Healthy Elementary School,12150 E. State Road 58, on March 24
- Central Middle School, 725 7th St., on March 31
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Upcoming sessions” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
There are four public referendum information sessions, each at 6 p.m., that are scheduled. They include:
Thursday at Columbus North High School, 1400 25th St.
Feb. 27 at Rockcreek Elementary, 13000 E. County Road 200S
March 24 at Mt. Healthy Elementary, 12150 S. State Road 58
March 31 at Central Middle School, 725 7th St.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”The referendum ballot question” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
On this year’s May 5 primary ballot, Bartholomew County voters will be asked to vote yes or no on the following question:
“For the eight (8) calendar years immediately following the holding of the referendum, shall Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation impose a property tax rate that does not exceed fifteen and six tenths cents ($0.156) on each one hundred dollars ($100) of assessed valuation and that is in addition to all other property taxes imposed by the School Corporation for the purpose of increasing compensation for teachers and support staff and maintaining student safety?”
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Non partisan voting” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Voters who wish to vote on the referendum question without having to declare a political party for the primary may request a non-partisan ballot at polling stations, said Bartholomew County Clerk Jay Phelps.
The ballot will only include the referendum question, excluding candidates for local, state and national offices, Phelps said.
In primaries, voters must select the Republican ticket or Democratic ticket. If someone requests a non-partisan ballot, they would not be able to vote for any Republican or Democratic candidates, Phelps said.
“If someone wants to only vote on the special question when they go to the polling place, they can request a special ballot,” Phelps said.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Where to learn more” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Visit bcsc.k12.in.us/referendum for more information on the referendum.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
