Boone County voters endorse school ballot issues, including Columbia property tax increase
Local districts were celebrating big wins after voters in Tuesday’s election approved every school issue on the Boone County ballot, including a property tax bump in Columbia that will increase teacher salaries.
About 53 percent of voters approved the 65-cent property tax increase per $100 of assessed valuation proposed by Columbia Public Schools.
According to unofficial results posted on the Boone County clerk’s website, the levy increase passed by 1,112 votes, with 11,394 people voting “yes” and 10,282 people voting “no.” Approval required a simple majority vote.
Superintendent Peter Stiepleman called it “a monumental day for Columbia.”
“Our community invested in us,” he said. “The next generation — the peers of my children and grandchildren — will most certainly look back on us and be grateful for the investment we made in their futures.”
Turnout was heavy for a municipal election, with 24,988 out of 96,919 eligible voters casting ballots — a countywide turnout of about 26 percent. In the March presidential primary, 54 percent of active registered voters cast ballots.
The measure will provide estimated annual revenue of $14.625 million. Nearly $7 million will be used to increase employee salaries. Stiepleman has said the average salary increase would be 5 percent. Another $6.6 million will be applied to current operations to end deficit spending. Another $720,000 will fund student programs and support.
The district’s total tax levy, including debt retirement, will increase to $6.1156 per $100 of assessed valuation. The adjustment will increase the district property taxes on a $150,000 house by $185.25 and add $2,080 to the property tax bill for a $1 million business and $43.29 in personal property taxes on a $20,000 vehicle.
Stiepleman said career programs, college-level courses, early childhood education, fine arts, athletics and high-quality employees are part of the district’s plans.
“And we get to have all those things because of tonight’s results,” he said.
A separate CPS ballot question seeking approval of a $30 million bond with no property tax increase drew resounding support, with 16,037 affirmative votes — about 74 percent of ballots — and 5,624 votes against the bond issue. It needed 57.14 percent for approval, a four-sevenths majority.
The bonds are planned to fund a land purchase and design for a new middle school in south Columbia, expansion of an elementary school and other maintenance and upgrades to buildings and technology infrastructure. A $50 million no-tax-increase bond issue would be required in two years to fund the school’s construction.
Elsewhere in Boone County, voters approved an operating levy in the Harrisburg School District and a bond issue in the Southern Boone School District in Ashland.
Including both Boone and Howard county results, 425 voters supported the Harrisburg levy increase of 67 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, and 381 ballots were cast against it. The same proposal was defeated by 39 votes in November. A simple majority was required to approve the question.
The Harrisburg levy increase will boost the district’s revenue by $255,000. The money is designated for instructional programs, materials and equipment and to offer competitive salaries and upgrade the district’s technology.
The district’s total tax levy will increase to $5.2311 per $100 of assessed valuation. It will increase the school district property taxes for the owner of a $150,000 house by $190.95.
Harrisburg Superintendent Lynn Proctor said she was excited for the students.
“We really worked hard this time to lay out the facts for our residents about why this was needed,” Proctor said.
The $7.5 million bond issue in Southern Boone School District received 855 “yes” votes — about 68 percent — and 400 “no” votes. It required a four-sevenths majority for approval, 57.14 percent.
The bonds will fund eight classrooms and a gym at the primary school, four classrooms at the elementary school and a classroom and weight room addition at the high school.
The debt service levy will increase 15 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, increasing the school property tax bill for the owner of a $150,000 house by $42.75.
Southern Boone Superintendent Chris Felmlee said he was “honored to have the support of the community.”
“I feel great,” Felmlee said. “The residents of the Southern Boone School District have always been supportive of an excellent education for every student.”
Voters in the New Franklin district, which covers parts of Howard and Boone counties, approved a $30 million bond issue 80 percent to 20 percent. The bonds, which do not require a tax increase, will pay for a new gym, locker rooms and lobby additions, along with other upgrades.
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