School board changes course, approves tax rate lower than first proposed

Bardstown Board of Education members approved a lower-than-proposed tax rate at their meeting Tuesday. From left, Jennifer Shrewsbury, Jim Roby, Franklin Hibbs III and Kathy Reed.

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016, 3 p.m. — In a surprise move Tuesday, the Bardstown Board of Education approved a school tax rate lower than was initially proposed earlier this month. The new rate creates 3 percent of additional tax revenue over last year’s rate, which is less than the 4 percent revenue increase originally suggested.

At its Aug. 3 meeting, the board voted 3-2 to set the tax rate to create a 4 percent revenue increase over last year. At that meeting, board chairman Andy Stone’s proposal for a lower rate failed in a 3-2 vote.

Board chair Andy Stone makes a motion for tax rate lower than the one originally proposed. The new rate will generate 3 percent of revenue over last year, rather than 4 percent as was first recommended.

But Tuesday, citing discussions with Superintendent Brent Holsclaw and feedback from the community, Stone again made a motion for the lower tax rate. This time the board voted 4-1 in favor of the lower tax rate with board member Kathy Reed voting against.

The new tax rate still raises new revenue for the school district — just less than originally approved.

The 2016 tax rate approved Tuesday is 79.7 cents per $100 in value for real estate and personal property, and includes a .5 cent adjustment for exonerations and discounts. The motor vehicle tax is set by the state and remains 53.1 cents per $100 value.

The new tax rate –79.7 — is an increase of 1 cent per $100 value over last year’s rate of 78.7.

After the vote, Stone called the decision a compromise that shows the board is listening to the community while remaining progressive about moving the district forward.

Board member Jennifer Shrewsbury told the board that she too had received feedback from the community about the proposed tax rate hike.

“I just want the public to be aware that we look at the numbers very closely each time” the tax issue comes before the board, she said.

“We take into consideration every call, and that we need to hear more voices on the matter.”

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