Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Finance Levy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Little Miami candidates urge voters to renew emergency levy, warn of cuts if it fails
Summary
At a Together for Little Miami candidate forum, Bobby Grice and David Whiting said a five-year emergency levy renewal would preserve about $10.6 million in annual revenue and a 12.5% state rollback; both warned that failure would force cuts to programs such as art and music and complicate facility planning amid rapid enrollment growth.
At a meet-the-candidates forum hosted by Together for Little Miami, school board candidates Bobby Grice and David Whiting urged voters to support a five-year emergency levy renewal they said is essential to district operations.
"I am in full support of this levy," Bobby Grice said, describing it as a renewal that would preserve a 12.5% state rollback for five years if voters approve it. Grice said the levy brings roughly $10,600,000 into the district and that losing it would force painful program reductions.
David Whiting also backed the renewal, calling it "the cheapest dollar for a levy you will ever get," and warned that the district’s budget — which candidates said is just over $60 million this year and may approach $70 million next year — relies on the levy for critical services.
Why it matters
Both candidates described the levy as a major revenue source that supports staffing, optional programs and facilities. Grice told the audience that if the levy is not renewed the district would forfeit a state-provided 12.5% rollback and could face cuts to so-called optional items including specials, music and art.
"If we don't pass it now, we will lose the 12 and a half percent rollback," Grice said. "We can't operate without this levy." Whiting added that the loss of $10.6 million would force administrators and the board to decide which services to reduce.
Alternatives and constraints
Both candidates discussed alternatives to property tax reliance but warned of trade-offs. They cited options such as an earnings tax, sales taxes or pursuing economic development to broaden the tax base. Grice pointed to examples in nearby communities that use local income or business taxes; Whiting said the district’s Business Advisory Council has run preliminary scenarios on possible income-tax options.
The candidates also noted limits on immediate borrowing for construction and said the district would likely pursue short- and long-term strategies to handle enrollment growth, including reopening owned facilities, using temporary space and, ultimately, considering bond or state construction support.
No formal action
The forum was a candidate event; no vote or board action took place. Candidates repeatedly framed the levy as a voter decision and encouraged community members to inform themselves before casting ballots.
What’s next
The candidates said they will continue campaigning in support of the renewal and planned to take audience questions after the formal panel. The forum hosts said candidates agreed to remain after the event for one-on-one conversations with attendees.
