SUMMIT COUNTY — Voters in Summit County fire, school and housing authority districts will decide on three separate taxing issues this November that add up to millions of dollars in new revenue for such things as new construction, expanded construction and maintenance as well as operational expenses.
The total in new revenue is unclear as one of the ballot initiatives does not outline how much its 20-year extension of an existing tax is expected to raise.
- With Measure 6B, The Summit Combined Housing Authority is asking voters to renew a sixth tenth of one percent sales tax currently in place and expected to expire in 2027 for another 20 years. It would go toward constructing new workforce rentals and owner occupied housing units. The measure would also limit the maximum amount of a fee collected by vendors. But the measure also does not define what that amount is, instead, it calls it a “reasonable amount established by the housing authority.” Finally, the measure asks voters to permanently exempt the new tax dollars from revenue limits under the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR).
- With Issue 6A, The Summit Fire and EMS Fire Protection District is asking for a 4 mill increase in property taxes that would raise about $4.5 million per year. The money would be used for wildland firefighting, capitol improvements, personnel, fire and emergency medical services, ambulance transportation and other administrative and operational expenses. The measure would also allow the fire authority to retain any revenue over the $4.5 million without limitations set forth in TABOR.
- The West Grand School District 1JT is asking voters for a $550,000 yearly increase for “educational purposes approved by the Board of Education” with Issue 5A, including school security, maintenance and enhancement of instructional programs, maintenance and enhancement of instructional technology, recruitment training and retention of teachers and support staff. It would also cover other capital needs and improvements. The exact mill increase is not specified. Instead it calls for however much of a mill increase is needed to raise the $550,000. However, the measure would also allow the school district to retain any revenue over the $550,000 without limitations set forth under TABOR, including asking the voters to retain any revenue collected over the amount originally requested.