Christian County Public School officials discussed the recently approved nickel tax increase during a public forum hosted by Tiger Connection Thursday evening. The tax was brought up and approved solely for building new academic buildings at both high school campuses in Christian County, as both were built over 50 years ago and have aged poorly.
School board members voted to unanimously approve the 5.5-cent per $100 tax rate increase for real and personal property on February 21, 2019. The rate which is now set at 48.3-cents per $100, will cost a person who owns $100,000 worth of property $55 dollars more a year.
The tax could be recalled if a petition that was turned in Monday afternoon by the group “Citizens Right To Vote On Tax Increases” is validated by May 8. If the petition is validated the school board will have two choices; either drop the additional “nickel tax” or put it on the ballot for citizens to decide the fate of it.
During the forum, officials answered questions submitted by parents with children enrolled in the school system and concerned community members who will be paying the extra tax.
School Finance Officer Jessica Darnell says the tax will bring in approximately $2-million in revenue this year and would, in turn, raise the district’s bonding potential from $15-million to over $50-million.
When asked about the “4%-tax increase” the school board has passed each year since around 2008, Darnell says the school district is required to reevaluate their tax rate each year.
Several questions pertained to why the district couldn’t renovate the current academic building at Hopkinsville High School. Chief Operations Officer Brad Hawkins says the Kentucky Department of Education will not allow them to, due to the projected costs of renovation and new construction.
When asked about limitations at the building, Hopkinsville High School Principal Dr. John Gunn notes there are several.
As the forum wrapped up, Superintendent Mary Ann Gemmill stated if the tax is not approved, she would ask the school board to start the process over again.
The forum was moderated by Judge Andrew Self and hosted inside the gymnasium at Hopkinsville High School.
