Lawrence County Board of Education Double Nickel Equivalent Tax Levy Public Hearing March 15, 2023 – 6:00 PM – LCHS Library
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Lawrence County Board of Education Special Meeting
March 15, 2023 -6:30 PM – LCHS Library
By Sarah Gauze
Lawrence Co. BOE public relations
The Lawrence County Double Nickel Equivalent Tax Levy Public Hearing was called to order by Chairman, Jim See. Mr. See discussed the tax hearing was published for two consecutive weeks in the Big Sandy News and the Levisa Lazer. Dr. Fletcher read the proposed tax levy.
The Lawrence County Board of Education considers/adopts an additional double nickel equivalent tax rate on real and personal property, which will produce revenue of twelve and four-tenths cents ($.124) per one hundred dollars ($100) of property assessed. For the 2022-23 fiscal year, the District’s nickel equivalent rate is 6.2 cents, which when applied to the current rate brings the total real property rate to 69.6 cents and to 71.1 cents on personal property. The District’s nickel equivalent rate changes each fiscal year and may be higher or lower when applied to future tax bills. The District will not begin collecting the additional revenue from this levy until the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The revenue produced by this increase will be dedicated to major renovation of existing school facilities, new construction, and debt service.
The general areas to which revenue of $1,162,373.32 above 2022 revenue is to be allocated are as follows: Cost of collections, $34,871.20; building fund, $906,856; instruction, $0; transportation, $110,323.06; and maintenance of plant, $110,323.06.
Mr. See then asked for the sign-in sheet and begin the public input session. There were members of the community present who were interested in the recall process. There were also persons interested in the cost and time frame of the discussed tax. An individual in favor of the tax spoke and cited wanting to give their future children access to better schools. Dr. Fletcher has written four articles discussing the issues surrounding the tax. These articles answer many questions related to the proposed tax, including a chart providing an individual’s property value and estimated property tax costs within Article 4. These articles provide an outline of the Lawrence County Facilities Plan and discuss the funding and construction/renovation needs. They can be viewed and read via the following link: http://bit.ly/3yMuz2V.
The LC Public Hearing was adjourned, and the LC Special Board Meeting was called to order by Chairman, Jim See. In the communications, Dr. Fletcher announced the Special Meeting to Levy Double- Nickel Tax on March 16, 2023, in the LCHS Library.
In student learning and support services, the meeting entered an executive session for Student Discipline/Expulsion Hearings. After the executive session concluded, the meeting returned to an open session. The next order of business was to approve the per diem and expenses. Dr. Fletcher discussed the expense list, which included cellphones for Louisa East, instructional equipment, and copier paper. There was an expense in the amount of $3200 for heating and cooling issues and a fire alarm monitor. There were also some emergency district maintenance expenses. Next was the approval of the 2023 Summer School Proposal, including pay rates and schedule (pending no changes to the current school calendar). The 2023 Summer School Schedule is set to start on May 31st and end on June 13th. The opening day for teachers is May 30th and the closing day is June 14th. This will be the last year summer school will be covered through ESSER funding. The motion was made by Susie Rice and seconded by Garnett Skaggs. The LC Board acknowledged receipt of the Superintendents’ Personnel Action/Update. The LC Board Meeting was adjourned.
Lawrence County Board of Education Special Meeting
March 16, 2023 -6:00 PM – LCHS Library
The Lawrence County Board of Education was called to order by Chairman, Jim See.
The Mission and Pledge of Allegiance were given to the US Flag. Dr. Fletcher recommended the LC Board of Education consider and approve the Double Nickel Equivalent Tax Levy.
The Lawrence County Board of Education considers/adopts an additional double nickel equivalent tax rate on real and personal property, which will produce revenue of twelve and four-tenths cents ($.124) per one hundred dollars ($100) of property assessed. For the 2022-23 fiscal year, the District’s nickel equivalent rate is 6.2 cents, which when applied to the current rate brings the total real property rate to 69.6 cents and to 71.1 cents on personal property. The District’s nickel equivalent rate changes each fiscal year and may be higher or lower when applied to future tax bills. The District will not begin collecting the additional revenue from this levy until the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The revenue produced by this increase will be dedicated to major renovation of existing school facilities, new construction, and debt service.
The general areas to which revenue of $1,162,373.32 above 2022 revenue is to be allocated are as follows: Cost of collections, $34,871.20; building fund, $906,856; instruction, $0; transportation, $110,323.06; and maintenance of plant, $110,323.06.
A motion was made by Garnett Skaggs and seconded by Maddlene Roberts. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned.
