Voters in Webb City and Carl Junction both approved school bond initiatives last night for building improvements. Pierce City wasn't as lucky as voters defeated a proposed measure there.
Does this mean that even in a bad economy, voters really do support education? Well, sort of, but not exactly.
Voters in Webb and Carl both approved issues that require no "increases" in the tax levy. In other words, because of their existing levies, they are able to re-roll their new bond amounts (in this case $2 million for Webb and $1 million for Carl) into their existing levy coverage. Tax payers in those districts won't see any increases in their yearly taxes, but they will ultimately pay those taxes for a longer period to "pay" for the improvements.
It was different in Pierce City. That bond issues was a true tax "increase" by proposing a levy increase equivalent to $0.33/$100 in assessed valuation.
This distinction shows the challenges that smaller schools with no debt service levy already in place are facing. It's a lot easier to extend a tax than it is to raise one. But once it is in place, it can be very beneficial...just ask Webb and Carl.
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