White Hall School District patrons will vote on a proposed 1.4-mill real estate tax increase in the Sept. 15 school election.
The school board, meeting in regular session last week with Director Roy Agee absent while recuperating from surgery, unanimously approved placing the issue on the ballot. The amount is a compromise between previously considered sums of .9 and 2.3 mills over 30 and 20 years, respectively. The proposed 1.4 mills would extend the district’s indebtedness 25 years, through 2034 – 10 years beyond the district’s current commitment.
The additional millage is needed to generate funding for the first phase of a two-tier improvement plan, much of which is mandated by state and federal requirements. If approved, the additional 1.4 mills would raise the district’s millage from 37.8 to 39.2.
A mill is one-tenth of a cent. As a basis for a property tax, each mill produces $1 in tax revenue for each $1,000 in assessed valuation of real property, which is calculated here at 20 percent of its appraised value.
Directors Dr. Raymond Jones and Scotty Ray said they favored the 1.4 mills, 25-year package over the others because it would better serve patrons.
“I’m happy with the 1.4 mills, but I wouldn’t have been happy as a patron with the .9 or 2.3,” said Jones.
“I wouldn’t have wanted to go 30 years (on the .9 plan),” said Ray, “and the 1.4 is almost a full mill below the 2.3, so I think this is better.”
Both expressed confidence that “the community will support” the 1.4-mill proposal, and several other directors agreed.
Scott Beardsley, senior vice president of the First Security Beardsley Public Finance consulting firm of Little Rock, told the board that such an increase would enable the district to issue a $25.33-million refunding and construction bond issue. He said that “approximately $9 million would be available for projects after refunding and bond issuance costs and an underwriter’s discount are deducted from the bond proceeds.”
Beardsley said White Hall’s current millage rate is “only slightly” above the state average of 36.71. Presently, White Hall’s millage is the second-lowest among Jefferson County’s four districts and would remain so even with a 1.4-mill hike.
The Pine Bluff School District has the county’s highest rate at 41.7 mills. Dollarway’s is second highest at 40.8 while Watson Chapel’s 31.8 is the lowest.
Beardsley also compiled a comparison of White Hall’s rate to that of districts with similar enrollments. Marion’s millage is 40.7, Greenwood’s 38.7 and Greene County Tech’s 37.49.
The White Hall School District, which extends from the northern edge of Pine Bluff to Jefferson, Redfield and the Pulaski County line, has a reputation of being one of the state’s best. White Hall is numbered among the state’s fastest-growing cities over the past 25 years, and most point to the school district as playing a major role in the boon.
School board member Dean Dancer said other districts envy White Hall because of its patrons’ support.
“People recognize White Hall as offering excellent education opportunities, and they know the White Hall School District’s patrons appreciate and endorse that success,” said Dancer.
“Providing such a quality education package with quality administrators, faculty, staff and facilities carries a responsibility. The people here have always been willing to help pay the price in ensuring their children’s future while strengthening the worth of this community.
“That’s why I feel this proposed millage increase will be approved by the voters.”
Director Scott Pittillo said he wanted to assure patrons that the district needs added revenue to finance “necessary and needed improvements.”
“I want to stress that this is not a ‘wish list,’” said Pittillo.
Mayor James “Jitters” Morgan echoed both Dancer and Pittillo.
“I can guarantee you that the continued support and enhancement of the White Hall School District is vital to the continued growth and development of White Hall, Redfield and the surrounding area,” said Morgan.
“The proposed millage rate is little in comparison to what others are seeking and less than what some are already paying. It seems to me that for all the improvements an additional 1.4 mills would mean for each of us in this district, we all would be getting a big bargain for a small investment.”
White Hall School District patrons will vote on a proposed 1.4-mill real estate tax increase in the Sept. 15 school election.
The school board, meeting in regular session last week with Director Roy Agee absent while recuperating from surgery, unanimously approved placing the issue on the ballot. The amount is a compromise between previously considered sums of .9 and 2.3 mills over 30 and 20 years, respectively. The proposed 1.4 mills would extend the district’s indebtedness 25 years, through 2034 – 10 years beyond the district’s current commitment.
The additional millage is needed to generate funding for the first phase of a two-tier improvement plan, much of which is mandated by state and federal requirements. If approved, the additional 1.4 mills would raise the district’s millage from 37.8 to 39.2.
A mill is one-tenth of a cent. As a basis for a property tax, each mill produces $1 in tax revenue for each $1,000 in assessed valuation of real property, which is calculated here at 20 percent of its appraised value.
Directors Dr. Raymond Jones and Scotty Ray said they favored the 1.4 mills, 25-year package over the others because it would better serve patrons.
“I’m happy with the 1.4 mills, but I wouldn’t have been happy as a patron with the .9 or 2.3,” said Jones.
“I wouldn’t have wanted to go 30 years (on the .9 plan),” said Ray, “and the 1.4 is almost a full mill below the 2.3, so I think this is better.”
Both expressed confidence that “the community will support” the 1.4-mill proposal, and several other directors agreed.
Scott Beardsley, senior vice president of the First Security Beardsley Public Finance consulting firm of Little Rock, told the board that such an increase would enable the district to issue a $25.33-million refunding and construction bond issue. He said that “approximately $9 million would be available for projects after refunding and bond issuance costs and an underwriter’s discount are deducted from the bond proceeds.”
Beardsley said White Hall’s current millage rate is “only slightly” above the state average of 36.71. Presently, White Hall’s millage is the second-lowest among Jefferson County’s four districts and would remain so even with a 1.4-mill hike.
The Pine Bluff School District has the county’s highest rate at 41.7 mills. Dollarway’s is second highest at 40.8 while Watson Chapel’s 31.8 is the lowest.
Beardsley also compiled a comparison of White Hall’s rate to that of districts with similar enrollments. Marion’s millage is 40.7, Greenwood’s 38.7 and Greene County Tech’s 37.49.
The White Hall School District, which extends from the northern edge of Pine Bluff to Jefferson, Redfield and the Pulaski County line, has a reputation of being one of the state’s best. White Hall is numbered among the state’s fastest-growing cities over the past 25 years, and most point to the school district as playing a major role in the boon.
School board member Dean Dancer said other districts envy White Hall because of its patrons’ support.
“People recognize White Hall as offering excellent education opportunities, and they know the White Hall School District’s patrons appreciate and endorse that success,” said Dancer.
“Providing such a quality education package with quality administrators, faculty, staff and facilities carries a responsibility. The people here have always been willing to help pay the price in ensuring their children’s future while strengthening the worth of this community.
“That’s why I feel this proposed millage increase will be approved by the voters.”
Director Scott Pittillo said he wanted to assure patrons that the district needs added revenue to finance “necessary and needed improvements.”
“I want to stress that this is not a ‘wish list,’” said Pittillo.
Mayor James “Jitters” Morgan echoed both Dancer and Pittillo.
“I can guarantee you that the continued support and enhancement of the White Hall School District is vital to the continued growth and development of White Hall, Redfield and the surrounding area,” said Morgan.
“The proposed millage rate is little in comparison to what others are seeking and less than what some are already paying. It seems to me that for all the improvements an additional 1.4 mills would mean for each of us in this district, we all would be getting a big bargain for a small investment.”
