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SALINEVILLE -- Southern Local School District officials are eyeing two levies on the Nov. 5 ballot for voters' consideration.
The Columbiana County Auditor has certified numbers after the school board passed two resolutions on the measures during its April 9 session to cover permanent improvements and current expenses. The board must approve resolutions to proceed at the next meeting and submit the levies to the county Board of Elections.
Treasurer Greg Sabbato said the first measure was a 2.25-mill renewal and a half-mill additional levy, for a total of 2.75 mills.
"It is renewing the 2.25-mill, five-year permanent improvement levy we've had in the past," said Sabbato. "The permanent improvement levy increase was not really an increase. We're just combining the PI and classroom facilities since we can no longer have a classroom facilities levy because the building construction period has ended."
He added that some projects completed under the current funds included a $799,482 roof replacement with another $781,660 spent on the new boiler system and propane tank. The renewal levy is expected to generate $439,000 annually in property tax revenue over the next five years for improvements and maintenance and amount to $83 per $100,000 of the auditor's appraised value.
"This levy will continue to allow us to address campus needs, not just those under the school roof," said Superintendent Tom Cunningham. "It will cover continued improvements such as our septic system, parking areas, athletic and playground areas, an expanded FFA area and the possibility of an auditorium, which is a major desire for everyone. We will be working with our building and grounds committee to prioritize and plan for future projects."
Meanwhile, the second levy for current expenses was last approved on Nov. 5, 2019, for collection in 2021-25. If approved again by voters this fall, collection will commence in 2026.
"This is a 7.84-mill, five-year levy and nothing will change with the taxes," Sabbato added. "It will just approve what we have."
That measure would generate $1.09 million each year in property tax revenue for its five-year duration and equals $162 per each $100,000.