City school board OKs tax hike; forms panel to review healthcare proposals
The Bardstown Board of Education. From left, board chair Jim Roby, Superintendent Brent Holsclaw, district treasurer Tracey Rogers, board members Jennifer Shrewsbury, Andy Stone, Franklin Hibbs III and Kathy Reed.
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017 — The Bardstown Board of Education Tuesday approved without comment a new tax rate that will generate 4 percent more tax revenue than last year’s tax rate.
The tax rate will increase from last year’s rate of 79.7 cents per $100 value on both real estate and personal property to 81.4 cents per $100 of value.
The new tax rate is expected to produce approximately $9.5 million in revenue. The tax increase means that the city school tax on a $100,000 home will increase by $17 over last year.
Board of education chair Jim Roby and Superintendent Brent Holsclaw review a document prior to the start of Tuesday’s board meeting.
Last year the board changed its mind at the last minute and instead of approving a rate to generate 4 percent more revenue, it approved a 3 percent tax revenue increase.
Patricia Murray Boone, a retired teacher, was the only person who attended Monday night’s public hearing and objected to the proposed tax increase.
“I am very concerned and I’m opposed to this tax due to the burden this will put on our families,” she said. “I’m concerned this tax increase will have an adverse impact on our families.”
Boone noted that the city school tax rate is higher than the county school tax rate, and as a substitute teacher, she has seen instances where funding could be used for greater effect.
Another city property owner arrived at the school board office to speak his mind Monday evening, but he arrived after the hearing had closed.
Freddy Jones said he objected to what he felt was the board’s decisions year after year to raise the school tax.
“Because they have a right to increase the tax doesn’t mean they should,” he said. “We’ve have school taxes on everything.”
HEALTH CARE CLINIC PROPOSALS. The board announced Tuesday that after a year-long partnership with Physicians To Children, other healthcare providers will soon have an opportunity to make proposals to provide healthcare services at the district’s in-school clinic.
Following a closed session regarding possible litigation, the board voted to approve the creation of a committee to review healthcare proposals from providers who may wish to bid on operating the in-school clinic.
After the meeting, Holsclaw said the district wanted to open up the process and allow other providers to make proposals. The committee will be charged with reviewing the proposals and making a recommendation to the board of education.
FINANCIAL AUDIT. Holsclaw told the board that the district’s annual financial audit will be conducted once again by Jason Strange CPA. His former employer has exited the school audit business, and Strange and his new employer, Styles, Carter & Associates, PSC, will be conducting the audit.
In other business, the board:
— authorized Holsclaw to present the district in negotiations with the Kentucky Human Rights Commission regarding an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint in regard to a former district classified employee.
— celebrated the district’s “sweep” pf the Best of Nelson County school awards offered by Standard Communications. Holsclaw presented the certificates for Best Preschool, Best Elementary, Best Middle School and Best High School, to each school’s principal.
— approved agreements with Central Kentucky Head Start focusing on helping recruit students for them and providing special education services.
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