The board unanimously okayed a higher tax rate on real and personal property in Crittenden County, but left the levy on motor vehicles and public utilities unchanged. The new rate of 42.7 cents per $100 of assessed value on real estate and tangible assets is expected to contribute at total of $1.42 million to the district's revenue flow.
"It's not that we want to," said board member Eric LaRue of the increase. "We have to."
Hit by rising fuel and energy costs , as well as mandated programs and pay raises by the state, the school district has struggled the last couple of years to produce a balanced budget without cuts to programs and staff. Taxpayers should see the 1.3 increase over last year's rate in a few weeks when 2008 tax bills are mailed to property owners.
This year marks second time in as many years that the school district has upped the tax on real and personal property. The tax rate on motor vehicles and watercraft is 54.1 cents per $100 and has remain unchanged since 1991. Taxes collected from public utilities has also be left at its 3-percent rate since 1991.
