Dover board votes 5–4 to form earned‑income‑tax commission to study shifting tax burden

The Dover Area School District Board voted 5–4 to establish an earned‑income‑tax (EIT) commission to study whether the district should pursue an earned‑income tax as a mechanism to shift some of the local revenue burden away from property taxes. The vote authorizes the formation of a citizen commission to research impacts and hold public hearings; any proposal ultimately would require voter approval in a municipal election and, if approved, would not take effect until the 2026‑27 school year.

Director Kendig, who has raised the EIT in prior meetings, said a commission would study local earnings, assessments and distributional effects and return a nonbinding recommendation to the board. “At some point in time we have to start thinking about these widows and widowers … who are on really a fixed income,” he…