WAVERLY, Ohio — The Waverly City Schools Board of Education says the income tax levy appearing on the Nov. 3 ballot does not match what the board actually proposed, an error that could affect how much money the financially strapped district collects if voters approve it.
The board said in a statement that it proposed and submitted a five-year, 0.5% traditional income tax to the Ohio Department of Taxation and the Pike County Board of Elections. The ballot language instead identifies the levy as an earned income tax, according to the district.
The distinction matters because an earned income tax applies to a narrower range of income — generally wages and self-employment earnings, not items such as retirement income or investment earnings — and would generate less revenue than the traditional income tax the board approved, the district said.
The district said it has cut more than $1.6 million from its budget over the past year because of reduced funding and rising expenses, and the levy was proposed to prevent further cuts. The board said that even if voters approve the levy as printed on the ballot, it will not fully cover the district’s financial needs, though it will still help.
The district said it is encouraged by economic development underway in the community but that no additional funding for the schools has been confirmed at this time. The board said it will continue to make financial decisions based on available information and keep the community updated as circumstances change.
The board urged residents to research the issues on the Nov. 3 ballot and to vote, and said it would answer questions from the community about the levy.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Waverly City Schools Board of Education.
