Letter: BGSD Levy financial facts

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com

As you decide whether to vote yes or no on the BGSD levy consider some facts:

• They are asking for over $116,000,000 over 3 years for an average of over $38 million per year.

• Test scores started to decline in 2013 and haven’t recovered – even with double the money.

• The amount of money spent per student per year in the last 10 years has doubled reaching $18,000+

• Understand how much this will increase your property taxes: Assessed Value divided by 1000 x an estimated $1.76 per thousand. Example: AV of $600,000 divided by 1000 = 600 x $1.76 = $1,056 or $88 per month

• The capital levy runs out in in 2027 with the district likely to ask for a renewal. The current cost is $.45 per $1000 = an estimated $270/yr on a $600,000 home

• With this new levy about 50% of property taxes will go to schools

• Nearly 85% of every levy dollar goes to personnel

• The teachers contract has expired with no information on wage demands...are they waiting till after the election to hide the cost?

Dick Rylander

Additional taxes on the ballot

• Jail capital bond of $366,000,000 which will cost, with interest over 31 years, over $700 million with a claimed average cost of a little over $80 per year per home.

• Sheriff/Jail personnel levy lid lift. They ask for an increase to $1.15 per $1000 of assessed value (an increase of about $.44/$1000). On a $600,000 home that’s another $270/year. Note: The money goes into the general fund and not specifically for law enforcement.

• Last year the legislature added $9 billion in new taxes which will come due.

Don’t look at each tax in isolation. Consider them together. The question you need to answer is whether your income has kept pace with tax increases and inflation. Can you afford to say yes?

Dick Rylander
Battle Ground