Franklin county commission repeats approval of school boar referendum

Franklin County commissioners voted Tuesday to allow the school district to hold a referendum in June so voters can decide whether to allow the school district to increase its operating budget.

The county had actually given its approval last year, but the school board felt it needed a second vote to alleviate any concerns from the county elections office about the date of the election.

The referendum is the same as one held in 2012 when the district asked voters to allow the school district to increase its operating budget by a half mill.

The move is technically a tax increase though taxpayers shouldn’t see an increase in their tax bills because the increase in the operating budget will be offset by a decrease in the school system’s building fund.

If voters approve the measure again it will allow the school district to free up construction money and put it in the operating budget where it can be used for teacher and employee pay as well as other operating expenses.

Voters first approved the issue in 2008 – but it has to be renewed every 4 years.

The current approval ends on June the 30^th.

The current plan is to hold a general election on the issue on June the 7^th, which is expected to cost over 20 thousand dollars.

The school board is considering a proposal this week to hold the election as a mail out ballot which could save some money.

There have also been requests that the election be held during the August primary election which would likely have a larger voter turnout.

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