Within the past few weeks, you may have received postcards in the mail asking you to vote yes for a new Bowling Green High School. While one of these postcards gave voting information, they are lacking important information such as how much the project costs, how they plan on paying for it, and how will it affect income and property taxes. Why were these facts missing?
The truth is this project will cost $70 million, although even this fact is not disclosed in the ballot language. The ballot language starts by addressing the income tax portion which would impose an annual income tax of one half of one percent (0.5%) on the school district income of individuals and of estates, for seven (7) years, beginning January 1, 2023. (Please note that this would be an ADDITIONAL tax to what is already going to the schools, which is currently 0.5%)
The ballot language then goes on to ask for bonds in the principal amount of forty-nine million dollars ($49,000.000), to be repaid annually over a maximum period of thirty years. This is misleading as the project is estimated to cost $70 million, but nowhere in this ballot language is this mentioned. Again, this would be an ADDITIONAL tax to what you are already paying. (The existing property tax is in place until 2034)
A more realistic example is this: if you own a home valued at $200,000 your additional tax would be $276.50 annually. I urge you to take a look at your property tax statement and view how much of your property taxes are already going to the schools, and then add this figure. If you’d like a more exact amount, call the Wood County Auditor’s office, or go to their website where they have an estimator available.
The community is fully aware of the demise of our elementary buildings, and the high school, and agrees that something should be done. It is sad, that over the years, our school boards have not upgraded and maintained our schools and now they are in such a deplorable state that it almost seems urgent.
However, with inflation at over 8%, gas prices and grocery bills soaring, and Columbia Gas announcing an increase up to 28%, how can we afford anything more? The National news talks of a possible recession. Aren’t we already experiencing it? Can you afford a new high school?
Brenda Pike
Bowling Green
