Findlay Schools to try 1% income tax again

FINDLAY — At a Findlay City School Board organizational meeting Wednesday, the board signaled it would try again for a proposed 1% earned income tax levy for the school district, this time to go on the May 6 primary ballot. The resolution to pursue a 1% income tax levy on the spring ballot, unanimously approved by the board at this week's meeting, follows after a levy for the same amount failed in November. Voters rejected the district's bid for the 1% earned income tax in fall general election with a vote of 8,660 (47.82%) in favor, 9,451 (52.18%) opposed. The failed tax levy would have generated the money needed to correct the district's approximate $12.7 million deficit. The district is still hoping to stabilize its finances and reduce the severity of upcoming budget cuts. These cuts are expected to begin in the 2025-2026 school year. At the Wednesday meeting, the board discussed between going to the ballot with the 1% earned income tax again, or trying for a 0.75% income tax instead. "In November, we were a little unfortunate that our levy did not pass," said Findlay City Schools Treasurer Pam Harrington at the meeting. "At this time, because we are on a very tight schedule for the turn-around time from a November election to a May election, we need to pass a resolution requesting certification of an alternate tax rate for either a 1% or a 0.75% income tax." The 1% income tax levy would garner approximately $13 million, whereas the 0.75% would bring in around $9 million. The board agreed the 1% rate was needed to address the financial challenges and to avoid deeper budget cuts. "My recommendation would be 1% to the board of education," said Superintendent Andy Hatton. "I know that that's challenging, given the results that we just got. Some of the cuts that we are going to be facing, the $6 million in cuts, are going to be decided here by the board in about a week. We are going to have to live with that for about an entire school year. "Even if we pass a 1% or a 0.75%, we're probably going to have to live with some of those cuts." Board member Matt Cooper echoed his approval for the 1% income tax levy. "I would be supportive of 1%," said Cooper. "I know it seems like a lot, but it really isn't for us, it's for our kids. I know it will be a challenge and I know that asking the community to help out is a difficult decision that none of us up here want to make. We certainly don't like asking people for money, but our kids deserve it. It's long overdue in this community. It's been 21 years since we've had additional help from the community, and I believe that's unheard of." The board will have a regular meeting at 6 p.m. Monday in the Washington Administration Building, 1100 Broad Ave., where it will finalize its decision whether to put the 1% earned income tax levy on the May 6 ballot and discuss other business.