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As the value of local property increased during recent years, Ohio County Board of Education members have done the right thing: They have reduced tax rates. They should consider doing so again.
Property taxes are collected as percentages of taxable values of property. The higher the value, the lower rates need be to raise given amounts of money.
In part due to the natural gas drilling boom, property values have increased substantially in Ohio County. Had school board members kept the levy rate at 100 percent, that would have meant more money for public education -- but less in taxpayers' pockets. So, for the past few years, board members have set the rate at less than 100 percent. It stands now at 95.5 percent.
This week, school system business manager Steven Bieniek reported that property valuations during the past year increased by about $110 million, to a total of more than $2.6 billion. Leaving the levy rate at 95.5 percent would bring more money into Ohio County public schools.
On Monday, board members voted to keep the rate at 95.5 percent. They will vote again on the rate during an April 16 meeting, making it official.
No one can say what will happen during the next few months, when state legislators hold a special session during which major changes may be made in West Virginia public schools. It is possible lawmakers will establish more of the infamous unfunded mandates -- new requirements with no state funding to cover them. It is unlikely major new spending will be dictated to local school systems, however.
Even with that uncertainty, Ohio County Board of Education members owe taxpayers as much of a break as can be given. Lowering the levy rate to something under 95.5 percent ought to be discussed.
Board members should keep in mind that less than a year ago, voters agreed to increase their own taxes to pay off $42.2 million in bonds being sold to help fund a massive project to improve school facilities. An appropriate way of saying thank-you for that would be to lower the regular levy rate.