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Mount Vernon board OKs placing 1% earned-income tax (30-year, facilities-only) on Nov. 3 ballot
Summary
The Mount Vernon City Schools board voted to place Resolution No. 2 on the Nov. 3 ballot to levy a 1% earned-income tax dedicated to facilities for 30 years. The superintendent outlined a communications plan after a district survey showed interest in locations, timelines and tax transparency.
The Mount Vernon City Schools board voted to place a 1% earned-income tax levy dedicated to school facilities on the Nov. 3 ballot, approving Resolution No. 2 after a brief discussion.
The chair called for the motion and members approved the resolution by roll call. The district emphasized the levy is facilities-only and limited to a 30-year term to address community concerns about a permanent tax increase.
Superintendent said the proposal is specifically for building and improving facilities, not for the general fund, and noted the 30-year finite term was added after listening to constituents. "This is strictly for building facilities," the Superintendent said, adding the levy "will not be ongoing."
Why it matters: The levy would raise a dedicated funding stream for construction and renovation projects the district has been planning. In a later presentation the superintendent said the district surveyed 473 respondents and found priorities among respondents included project locations, construction timelines and clearer information on tax impacts and funding sources.
The district described a multi-pronged communications strategy aimed at broadening outreach beyond parents and staff. The superintendent said 64% of survey respondents were parents, 23% were district employees and the remainder included community residents and retirees; to reach more voters, the district plans smaller, more frequent newsletters, targeted mailers, civic presentations and more visual materials created with architects and consultants.
Board members asked how levy proceeds could be used and whether homeschool or in-district students would receive priority in extracurricular considerations tied to facilities. The Superintendent reiterated the levy proceeds are restricted to facilities and said details about program eligibility and facility use would be determined in subsequent planning.
The board advanced the resolution; the chair called the roll and recorded the vote as carried. The board did not set a timeline for specific projects in the resolution; the superintendent said that more detailed project plans and timelines would be shared with the community in upcoming outreach sessions.
