(Posted July 11, 2023)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
London City Schools is seeking renewal of its 1 percent income tax for operating expenses. The issue will appear on the Nov. 7 general election ballot.
Voters first passed the income tax in 2004 and have since renewed it three times at five-year intervals. The levy was last passed in 2019 by a two-thirds majority, the highest margin in district history. This time, the district is asking voters to approve the levy for a continuing period of time.
“Based on the history of support over the last 20 years and the importance of the levy to the district budget, we’re seeking that this be continuous. This is the only change. We are not asking for a new levy,” said Dr. Lou Kramer, district superintendent.
The income tax generates approximately $4.4 million per year and constitutes about 20 percent of the school district’s general revenue.
“The district is solid financially right now. Of course, we’re monitoring the growth of our city and community and will be very cognizant of that moving forward,” Kramer said.
The income tax was the last new levy passed in the district. No new levies have been added in the past 20 years.
“I hope this demonstrates to taxpayers that we are good stewards of the finances we are allocated here locally,” Kramer said.
On June 27, the school board held the second and final reading on measures required to place the levy request on the ballot. The deadline to submit issues to the Madison County Board of Elections for the Nov. 7 ballot is Aug. 9. The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 7 election is Oct. 10.
The next regular meeting of the London school board will take place at 6:30 p.m. July 18 in the College and Career Readiness Center at London High School.
