Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Levy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cuyahoga Falls board declares necessity for 5.5-mill levy after months of deliberation
Summary
The Cuyahoga Falls City School District board voted June 10 to ask the county fiscal officer to certify a proposed 5.5-mill additional current-expense levy for the November ballot after discussing property-tax and income-tax options and mixed community feedback.
The Cuyahoga Falls City School District board voted June 10 to request certification of a proposed 5.5-mill additional current-expense property-tax levy for placement on the November ballot.
Board members spent the meeting weighing two options: a traditional property-tax levy and a new municipal income tax. Members said conversations with residents revealed mixed reactions: some longtime supporters indicated they would back either option, while some retired homeowners expressed concern about paying more and some residents on Social Security said an income tax could hit them hard.
“This is our obligation as the board of education to ask the community for the money we need,” one board member said before the roll call. Other members urged caution, saying an income tax would require a larger public-education campaign and more time than the district has before November.
Superintendent remarks and packet materials cited Census Bureau figures that about 18–19% of the community are seniors — approximately 9,200 residents — a point members used to underscore equity concerns when choosing a funding mechanism. Several members said an income tax could generate more revenue but would demand additional outreach and voter education.
The board approved the resolution declaring it necessary to pursue the additional levy and directed the Summit County fiscal officer to certify the district’s tax valuation and the revenue the levy would generate. The resolution and certification step begins the process to place the question before voters in November.
Board members said they hope the community conversation begun this spring will continue into the fall, and some indicated the district could revisit an income-tax option at a later date if more time and resources for public education become available.
Next steps: the district will receive the county certification, finalize the levy language and, if the deadline and certification permit, place the measure on the November ballot.
