Jackson school tax rate to stay same

JACKSON, Mo. -- Despite a $220,000 loss in local tax revenue, the Jackson School District will not ask voters for a tax levy increase this year.

During a public hearing Tuesday, the school board voted to leave the tax levy at $3.31 per $100 assessed valuation, although the assessed valuation in the district fell by more than $6 million this year.

Throughout the past decade, the school has enjoyed an annual assessed valuation growth of around 6 percent. This year, there was no growth. The valuation actually decreased 2.55 percent.

Because of that, the district will only receive around $8,500,000 in local revenue this year -- $223,542 less than in 2001.

According to Jim Welker, assistant superintendent for finances, the loss won't have a devastating effect on the district.

"There may be some loss in revenue initially, but we're not anticipating any changes in the tax rate because of that," Welker said.

The decrease in assessed valuation was due to a $14 million loss in personal property taxes. Cape Girardeau County Assessor Jerry Reynolds said the primary reason for that was a Chapter 100 agreement between the county and Procter & Gamble.

"Procter & Gamble remodeled and retooled their plant, and under Chapter 100 the county actually owns what they do, and with that the company pays no taxes," Reynolds said.

But Procter & Gamble does make an annual payment to the county. A part of that goes to the school district, although Welker said it doesn't offset the loss of tax money.

"It certainly has an effect, but it's one of those things where the community benefits from the economic growth, so eventually it helps us too," Welker said.

He said a gain in revenue and an expenditure decrease carried over from last year's balances will help compensate for the funding loss.