Many people seem to be a bit confused over certain aspects of the upcoming tax levy increase being put before voters in the Miami R-1 School District. This information is not intended as either support or opposition of the proposed increase. Rather, since the question is now being framed as a "tax levy increase" rather than a "school bond issue," it is presented in the interest of fully informing the voting public.
1: Miami R-1 placed a school bond issue on the ballot in both April and August of 2018. The stated purpose was to raise the funds needed to build and modernize a new gym. The issue was narrowly defeated in both elections, owing largely to the fact that, under Missouri law, school bond issues require a minimum of 57.14% of the vote for passage.
2: In the November 2018 election, Miami R-1 is again seeking funding for this project. This time, due most likely to the closeness of the previous votes, the question is being placed on the ballot as a tax levy Increase, rather than a school bond issue. Voters should be aware that only a simple majority is required to pass a tax levy increase (aka: whoever gets the most votes, wins)
3: Miami R-1 seeks to increase the operating tax level by .41 cents per $100 of assessed value. The stated reason for the increase (per the wording of the November 2018 ballot) is to “provide funds for the acquisition, construction, equipping, and furnishing of a new safe and temperature controlled activity center to accommodate athletic activities, concerts, plays, ceremonies and other programs; complete other remodeling and repair improvements to the existing facilities of the District; and to meet the additional operating needs of the District.”
The levy would sunset in 2033. It should be noted that, while the wording on the previous ballots was restricted solely to the building of a new gymnasium, the wording on the Nov. 2018 ballot indicates that the funds collected could be used for any purpose deemed worthy by the school board.
SOURCES:
• David Tramel: Coordinator, School Financial and Administrative Services Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
• Dr. Daniel Johnson: Superintendent, Miami R-1 School
Election Dates and Required Passage Percentage
• Bates County Sample Ballot - Nov. 2018
