BOWLING GREEN, Ohio —
Bowling Green residents can expect to see a drop in taxes collected for the building of a new high school.
The district passed a $72.8 million bond levy in November. Voters previously rejected four levy requests for the construction of a new high school.
Bowling Green resident Jessica Roper-Pellar voted against the levy because she was worried about how the money would be spent.
The expected rate for the levy was 5.25 percent, but the district sold the bonds in February and secured an interest rate closer to 4 percent, according to Bowling Green City Schools Superintendent Ted Haselman.
This will save taxpayers over $18 million over the 30-year levy, Haselman said.
"I am very pleased that this local government has made that decision and crunched the numbers and decided for savings instead of usual spending," Roper-Pellar said.
Bowling Green resident Maya Fisher said she hopes the decrease in taxes will make people more accepting of the new high school.
"We need a new high school to grow our community," Fisher said. "I feel like the kids deserve a new building."
Residents may see another levy on the ballot in November. The district needs additional funds to address rising costs, Haselman said.
"Our staffing costs continue to rise," Haselman said. "Our everyday expenditures continue to rise, such as fuel, supplies, electricity. All of those continue to rise, and because of that, our school is in need of those operating funds."
The makeup of the levy is still being determined by the school board. Haselman said there is some conversation about it being an income tax. He said the plans should be finalized in the summer.
"Work definitely needs to be done," Roper-Pellar said. "As long as we're being good caretakers of our tax dollars, as it seems like the school board has been, then I probably will vote for it."
Fisher said the thought of paying more is frustrating but the focus should be on the benefits.
"Even if it's going to be a little bit more expensive, the schools and the kids are part of our community," Fisher said. "If we want them to stay in Bowling Green and to be part of our community, we need to support them."