LaBrae Replacement Levy on the November Ballot

The LaBrae Board of Education voted at its May board meeting to put before our voters a 30 replacement permanent improvement levy on November 7, 2023. A permanent improvement levy is for improving and maintaining facilities and equipment that has a life of at least five years. By law, this revenue cannot be spent on employee wages or benefits.

The original permanent improvement levy was first approved by voters in 1984 for 30 voted mills Moreover, the Ohio Constitution has inflationary protections to guard against increasing property taxes as property values rise. The Constitution requires that levy millage be reduced as the property valuations in a community increase. Since 1984, LaBrae's voted mills have been reduced to approximately 1.55 mills. The reduced millage is referred to as effective mills This replacement levy is asking LaBrae voters to restore the district to the original 3.0 mills of taxation.

Heating and cooling infrastructure, plumbing equipment, technology, paving, and security upgrades are typical expenditures funded with revenue generated by the permanent improvement levy. Over the course of 40 years, it has become increasingly difficult to afford to fund our permanent improvement efforts due to the rising costs of goods and services.

Successful passage of the replacement levy will position LaBrae to better afford general improvements and upgrades, of which facility upgrades to Bascom, the bus garage, security enhancements, and maintenance of district facilities are included. Furthermore, the final collection of the bond tax from voters will be in August of 2024, of which will be put toward the final bond payment in December of 2024. The December 2024 payment is the final payment on the construction bond, meaning debt to building the LaBrae Complex will be paid in full. If the replacement levy is approved it will not take effect until after the bond debt is paid. Voters would not begin paying on the replacement levy until March 2025 With the bond expiring, and successful passage of the replacement levy, all property owners would still see a net decrease in their overall tax bill.

If you have questions regarding the P.I. levy, please contact the superintendent's office at 330.898.1393.