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by Michael Monks
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| Covington City Commissioner Steve Frank addresses the Covington School Board |
Talks of another tax increase from the Covington School Board drew criticism from a few members of the public Thursday night, including Covington City Commissioner Steve Frank. At a special meeting two weeks ago in which a proposed budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year was introduced, board members considered an additional 4% increase on its share of city property taxes, the highest increase allowed by state law. "I'm troubled by the increase in costs when we're trying to hold the line in city government," Frank said. At its meeting Tuesday night, the Covington City Commission saw a presentation on its own proposed budget for 2012-13 which included a deficit of more than two million dollars.
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"The city is not raising taxes, in fact they are lowering the payroll tax and we urge the schools to do the same," said Jeff Murden. "People are thinking, 'these are mediocre schools that cost twice as much'." Murden compared Covington Schools' property tax rate of 1.1 per $1,000 to Kenton County's .55 per $1,000.
"The city is not raising taxes, in fact they are lowering the payroll tax and we urge the schools to do the same," said Jeff Murden. "People are thinking, 'these are mediocre schools that cost twice as much'." Murden compared Covington Schools' property tax rate of 1.1 per $1,000 to Kenton County's .55 per $1,000.
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Commissioner Frank offered what he called "a practical suggestion" to the board: adopt a tax amnesty program similar to the one enacted by the City earlier this year that has brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars. "The city has a number of properties sitting idle and vacant with tax liens against them. People want to buy and rehab them but are unwilling to because of the liens." Frank said that the Kenton County government is "amenable" to the idea but admitted that it is still in gestation form.
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"I'd like to talk to you more about that at a later time," said Superintendent Lynda Jackson.
"I'd like to talk to you more about that at a later time," said Superintendent Lynda Jackson.
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The proposed tax increase, which will not be up for a vote until August or September, was not the only part of the proposed budget that was met with criticism, however. Resident Tom Miller called the $151,000 designated for the school district's attorney "surprising" and "disturbing". "I do wonder why Kenton County only pays fifty-two thousand dollars (for its attorney)," Miller said. The difference, he said, is that the County schools put an attorney on staff where as Covington has one under contract, "which is not necessary to do according to state law." UPDATE: The Kenton County School District contracts its attorney as well at the rate mentioned. The attorney is not on staff.
The proposed tax increase, which will not be up for a vote until August or September, was not the only part of the proposed budget that was met with criticism, however. Resident Tom Miller called the $151,000 designated for the school district's attorney "surprising" and "disturbing". "I do wonder why Kenton County only pays fifty-two thousand dollars (for its attorney)," Miller said. The difference, he said, is that the County schools put an attorney on staff where as Covington has one under contract, "which is not necessary to do according to state law." UPDATE: The Kenton County School District contracts its attorney as well at the rate mentioned. The attorney is not on staff.
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Miller continued, "It seems the first priority (of the budget process) was to approve salaries for the teachers rather than seeing that the tools for our students are met."
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"Covington has paid (teachers) less than neighboring districts," said the district's assessment coordinator and former Holmes principal Bill Greine. "We agree that the better create a city environment where teachers want to live and stay here, the better we'll be. We don't have teachers staying here. We'd like to change that." Greine noted that two-thirds of the district's teachers have less than ten years experience in Covington. "We are going to be paying teachers a significant raise. We don't want them leaving because of money."
Miller continued, "It seems the first priority (of the budget process) was to approve salaries for the teachers rather than seeing that the tools for our students are met."
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"Covington has paid (teachers) less than neighboring districts," said the district's assessment coordinator and former Holmes principal Bill Greine. "We agree that the better create a city environment where teachers want to live and stay here, the better we'll be. We don't have teachers staying here. We'd like to change that." Greine noted that two-thirds of the district's teachers have less than ten years experience in Covington. "We are going to be paying teachers a significant raise. We don't want them leaving because of money."
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NOTE: During the public comments portion of the meeting in which all of this discussion took place, board members typically listen but rarely respond or take action during the meeting. Board Chairperson Glenda Huff described the body as a "data-driven board" that will verify the opinions expressed and then take action or at least follow-up with the citizens.
NOTE: During the public comments portion of the meeting in which all of this discussion took place, board members typically listen but rarely respond or take action during the meeting. Board Chairperson Glenda Huff described the body as a "data-driven board" that will verify the opinions expressed and then take action or at least follow-up with the citizens.
Two points of clarification on my comments at the BOE meeting, the information I got about Kenton County's attorney came from Glenda Huff. I incorretly assumed that a member of the BOE knew what she was talking about.
ReplyDeleteRegarding salary increases, my concern was not that teachers were getting an increase, I believe they are much deserved, I just question why this is the first stage of budget preperation.
Tom Miller