SWL LSD Treasure Explains TIFS and Ohio School Funding

This post is the continuation of the December 22, 2006 post on TIFs. I made the following confusing statement in a letter to the editor.

"The taxpayers could remove the schools from this issue [TIFs] if we would just meet our States minimum 23 mill requirement and get off the 20 mill floor. We have suffered that 3 mill penalty too long."

Later I asked the Treaurer the following question:

"I don't understand the 23 mill requirement. Can you give me an example of funding now and what funding would be if we meet the 23 mill requirement? Then explain how the TIF work with the 23 mill requirement."

He was very kind to give me the following reply:

Bob,

The 23 mills only apply to the State of Ohio’s school funding foundation program. The 23 mills do not have any effect on TIFs. When a parcel of land is placed in a TIF, the value of the land is not included in the TIF only the value of new buildings built on the land after the TIF was created will be included in the TIF. Therefore, the school district, county, fire department, etc… will still receive property taxes from the value of the land and 25% of the property taxes for any new buildings built within the TIF. The school district, county, fire department, etc… will not lose any of the property taxes we are currently receiving from the land within the TIF. The school district, county, fire department, etc… will only incur a reduction in the amount of additional property taxes we would have received from the value of new buildings being built within the TIF. The property taxes paid on the value of the new buildings will be paid to the TIF instead of the school district, county, fire department, etc… The only way the school district could have been or could be held harmless from the TIF is by an agreement between the City and/or Township and the school district that required to City and/or Township to pay to the school district the amount of property taxes the school district would have otherwise received without the TIF. The issue with a hold harmless agreement, with the school district, is that a majority of the property taxes levied are for the school district. The amount of money collected for the TIF would be significantly reduced by not including the property taxes levied for the school district; thereby, reducing the number of projects that could be completed with the money generated by the TIF. In the end, a large portion of the local dollars collected and spent from the TIF would have otherwise gone to the school district.

I have attached in PDF format an article on TIFs that may be of an interest.

"Don't Let Your 'TIF' Cause a 'Tiff'"

Thank you,

Richard D. Jones
Treasurer
Southwest Licking LSD

USA Flag Displayed Proudly at District Office

My Letter to Superentendent,

Thank you very much for expediting a solution to the lighting problem. It made my day to see the flag at the District office illuminated as I came home from work tonight. Your efforts and those of your staff are greatly appreciated.

Public School US Flag Display

As a State institution the school district should respect the flag of the United States.

The students of [a district] Elementary showed respect for their flag every day as they hoisted and lowered it every day.

The flag at [a district] middle school is left up all night without proper lighting. It is small. In the past I have seen it tattered. The flag at the District office is flown in the dark without being properly lighted.

The proper display and care of the flag by a school makes a positive impression on the community. It at least shows the community a openly disciplined activity and some respect for property.

See: Flag Code

I am sure the District would show respect for the flag if it wasn't such a financial burden. I do believe the community would donate larger flags and even the lighting for the base of the poles, if asked.