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Washington County School District asks commissioners to place tax-neutral referendum on Nov. ballot
Summary
The Washington County School District asked the county commission to call a special referendum for the Nov. 3 general election to allow a tax-neutral flexible funding shift (up to 0.75 mills to capital and up to 0.75 mills for operating) beginning July 2027 for up to four years; commissioners approved placing the measure on the ballot.
Jessica Stevens, director at the Washington County School District, requested that the board place Resolution 25-05 on the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot. She said the measure is a tax-neutral, flexible-funding referendum that, if approved by voters, would allow the district beginning July 2027 and for up to four years to reduce ad valorem taxes by up to 0.75 mills for capital and add up to 0.75 mills for operating — effectively giving the district flexibility between capital and operating funds without increasing the overall tax burden.
Stevens told commissioners the district needs flexibility to support staff recruitment and retention, facility maintenance, materials and services for students with special needs, and career and technical education. She said the district provided a copy of Resolution 25-05 and the ballot wording and requested that the county call the referendum so voters can decide.
Commissioners indicated no objection to placing the measure on the ballot, with one commissioner saying, "Let the people vote on it." A motion to place the referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot carried.
If approved by voters, the referendum would take effect starting July 2027 for a period of up to four years; the district emphasized it is a voluntary, tax-neutral shift of millage authority and not an increase in taxes.
