| Date Created | August 14, 2006 |
| Date Modified | August 22, 2006 |
| Permanent Link | http://www.elanco.org/community/taxpayer_relief_act.html |
Act 1 of 2006 allows communities to make certain decisions about local tax structure. Specifically and most immediately, it requires that a referendum question be placed on the May 2007 primary ballot. If approved, the resulting tax structure would increase income taxes and decrease homeowner property taxes by a like amount. Determining the amount of the tax shift is a very complex issue, and any final outcome will affect demographic groups differently.
For this reason, the Act wisely requires that boards of school directors receive recommendations from an independent study commission comprised of members representative of the demographic composition of our community. Boards will consider these recommendations when preparing a referendum question to submit to the voters in May. The referendum question will seek voter input on tax shifting from homeowner real estate tax to a new or increased income tax. The recommendation will include whether the referendum question should relate to an earned income tax, or alternatively to a personal income tax, and the tax rate to be included in the referendum question.
Your board of school directors is sincere in its desire to assemble a study commission that is representative and comprised of individuals with a genuine interest in providing this important service.
Because of the requirement for diversity, there will be a screening process. But that screening will be only to ensure that the commission's composition reflects the law's requirement that it reflects the socioeconomic, age, and occupational diversity of the school district to the extent possible.
If selected, your responsibilities as a member of the commission will be as follows:
To be considered for appointment, please download the Expression of Interest form. Return the completed form to the Board Secretary by August 28, 2006.