Council Levies Fail at Voting Booth
Last Tuesday voters in the Council School District and the Council Ambulance District rejected levies at the ballot box. The School district levy was for $500,000 over two years and failed by seven votes (399-392). The Ambulance district levy would have been a permanent levy ‘up to’ $226,309 per year and failed 556-341. This levy required a two-thirds majority to pass and achieved less than 62% support from voters.
According to the Adams County Clerk’s Office, the school district has asked for, and voters have approved, a levy every two years since at least 2012. The levy amounts started at $50,000 per year for two years. In 2024, voters in the district approved the most recent levy at $130,000 a year for two years for a total of $260,000. The levy that voters rejected last week would have increased property owners’ tax burden by about $24.10 per $100,000 of assessed value per year over the cost of the current levy expiring this year.
Council Schools Superintendent Brian Joyce stated that due to the levy failing “there are going to be cuts to personnel and programs, there is no way to balance our budget without them.” He also stated that “the cuts will not be as severe as anticipated thanks to the passage of HB 636.” HB 636 is the property tax relief bill that was signed by Governor Little in March. Joyce expects to receive additional funds from this bill that can only be used for maintenance. The district would use previously budgeted maintenance funds to help cover the cost of aides. There would still be cuts to staff with these funds as it is only about half of the amount of the levy. “Without that bill, losing this levy would have been dire and balancing a budget would have been impossible” Joyce said.
When asked if the district will put the levy to voters again he said “most likely in November” but noted that discussions with the board had not taken place yet and nothing is decided. When asked if the district would reduce the levy amount Joyce said that will be decided in the coming months as they are able to look at the budget more.
Note: I have an interview with Cody Murphy, Council Ambulance Director, after this issue goes to print and will have more information on that levy’s failure in next week’s issue.
