Citizen group says they must wait for BOE to set election date for ‘nickel tax’
A petition has been filed in County Clerk’s Chris Jobe’s office containing more than 1,000 signatures of local citizens who want the ‘recallable nickel tax’ recently imposed by the BOE, to come to a vote at the ballot box.
Supt. Dr. Rob Fletcher said the school system is $6-$7 million shy of the bonding capacity needed for a new $14 million facility in or around Louisa to replace the two aging schools that are both more than 50 years old.
But some taxpayers such as Jeff Kinser and Gene Wilson say that property taxes are getting too high and other sources of revenue should be explored instead of “sticking it” to the property owners, many of which are having a tough time surviving in these lean times.
Under state law Jobe has 30 days to certify the names on the petition as voters in Lawrence County. “That’s why we got almost twice as many signers as required (620),” said Patty Carter, who has been active in the move to have the issue placed on the ballot. “The people should make the decision on whether they want to pay and average $150 more on the year for school tax on their property,” Ms. Carter said.
Jobe said the law allows the BOE the right to have the election in conjunction with the “closest General Election”. In Kentucky 2017 happens to be the “off year” when no Primary or General Elections are held. The change was made several years ago to save money on elections which now cost $30,000 or more according to Jobe.
So the BOE could decide to wait until the 2018 General Election to have the vote, or they could conduct a special election within 45 days of the certification of the signatures on the petition.
The BOE will have to pay the $30,000 if a special election is held. If they wait 18 months and have the vote in 2018, there will be no extra expenses, according to Jobe.
