School, town taxes

In addition to choosing candidates in next Tuesday's primary election, one area school district and two towns will vote on tax issues. These are important decisions for voters, who need to be informed about the proposals.

The Meadow Heights School District will vote on an operating levy increase of 50 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. Currently, the levy is $2.75, the minimum required by the state. The tax burden would be offset a bit by a 10-cent reduction in the district's debt levy.

Marble Hill voters are being asked to increase the town's sales tax, currently 1 percent, by half a percent. If approved, the city's real estate and personal property taxes would be eliminated. The increase would generate an estimated $125,000 a year, replacing the $68,000 brought in by the real estate and property taxes.

In Scott City, voters will be asked to renew a quarter-percent sales for 10 years to pay for city improvements that include an amphitheater in the city park, storm sirens and upgrades to the water system. The tax, which generates $70,000 to $80,000 a year, was first approved in 1998. It was renewed in 2004. The tax will expire in August 2011 unless voters renew it.