The Española School District will ask District voters to approve a two-mil levy in May.
The Board voted unanimously March 4 to put the two-mil levy tax before voters May 19. If approved, the income generated by the tax would be used primarily for the purposes of school renovations and improvements throughout the District.
If the voters approve the tax, property owners would pay $2 for every $1,000 of the assessed value of their property for the next six years. District financial consultant Leo Valdez said, for example, if the property was valued at $30,000, the property owner would be taxed for $10,000 of that property. Paying $2 for every $1,000 means that property owner would pay $20 a year.
Valdez told the Board it could potentially receive $980,578 a year from the tax. In addition, the state would also match nearly the whole amount meaning the District stands to make about $2 million annually if the tax is approved.
Valdez made it clear that the District could not use the income to repay any debt. The District could also use the money for purchasing activity vehicles for transporting students and for computer software and hardware for classrooms. The income could also be used to pay for the training and certification of maintenance and facilities personnel.
Superintendent David Cockerham also said the money cannot be used by the District when providing funds to match those made by the Public Schools Capital Outlay Committee for current construction projects.
The last time the District called for a two-mil levy was in May 2007. Voters rejected the referendum.
This time, voters have until April 21 to register to vote.
The District approved a consulting contract with Valdez’s company, Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley and Co., for $30,000 to help inform the public about the tax measure.
The District and the consulting company will hold three public information hearings tentatively scheduled for April 29, May 6 and May 13.