Cape district holds the line on levy

Cape Girardeau School Board members were wise to step away from an increase in the district's tax levy that wouldn't have required a vote of the people.

Taxpayers are particularly sensitive about taxes in general, much less an increase without a vote. That's why many of them called board members to complain after the Southeast Missourian reported the possibility of an increase to generate revenue in a tight budget year.

Superintendent Mark Bowles, who also received many of those calls, recommended that the district maintain its levy at $3.99 for each $100 of assessed valuation.

On the table was a plan to raise the levy 7 cents. That would have meant an additional $280,000 in tax revenue for the district at a cost of $6.50 a year for the average homeowner.

That's a pittance for most district patrons, but it was the idea of an increase without a vote that bothered them the most. And many taxpayers remember the promises the district made a few years ago not to increase taxes for five years if voters approved a sizable financial package, which they did.

Even though the district is having to cut costs, another $280,000 isn't worth the bad feelings a tax increase would have evoked.