Proposals head Scott County primary ballot
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
By BETH ZUMWALT
Three proposals are on the ballot for Scott County voters. All three could impact a lot of services in Scott County.
Voters in the Alsey area, or Road District #2 will have the option to increase the road district levy to be equal or close to other road districts around the county.
“They didn’t raise road district taxes for several years,” Matt Coultas, Highway Supervisor of Scott County, said. “They are just trying to catch up a little at a time.”
Eric Wicker, the current road commissioner agreed.
“I’m not going to raise it that much. It just gives a limit to what we can raise it. It won’t be the full amount,” Wicker said. “The ballot says .66 percent, I won’t raise it that much. We are the second largest road district in Scott County and have the lowest rate.
According to Allen Yow, the districts attorney, the increase would generate another $36,000 for the general fund of the road district.
“But the road commissioner tells me, he will not raise it that much,” Yow said.
The full amount or any portion thereof will be taxed based on the Equalized Access Valuation of each real estate owner.
The second proposal is to raise taxes one-percent to maintain the Scott County Nursing Home.
“It’s just to help them with their bills,” Bob Schafer, chairman of the Scott County Commissioners, said. It will only generate about $116,000 per year.”
Schafer said since COVID the census at the SCNH is down.
If passed homeowners, using the owner-occupancy exemption would see their taxes raise 19 dollars on a $75,000 home or approximately $1.50 a month if they have their taxes in escrow with their mortgager.
The third proposal asks for a tax, not to exceed .40 percent to formulate a special service area with the purpose of funding the Winchester EMS.
The proposal is only advisory. It is not a binding vote according to Schafer.
“It will tell us if the people want us to pursue the tax,” Schafer said.
If implemented, the tax would pay for full-time EMTs to man the service instead of relying on volunteers, whose numbers have dwindled.
Again on a $75,000 house, the taxes would raise$76.
In addition to the three proposals there are some contested races statewide and a race for the board of commissioners. Dan Hatcher and John Simmons both are vying for the seat.
Democrats have no local contested choices, but have several at the state and regional level.
