Taxpayer Monies Could Be Used To Explain Impact Of Failed Levy

GROVE CITY, Ohio—City leaders in Grove City are considering spending about $20,000 in taxpayer money to send out educational information regarding the South-Western City Schools levy.

A school district has been pleading for a levy passage while a hometown fears failure would mean a loss of jobs and income tax revenue and falling property values.

The South-Western City School District voted to go back to voters in August, asking for the same 8.3-mill operating levy that was voted down in May.

There is a proposal to use taxpayer money to educate citizens about the impact of a failed levy in the South-Western City Schools district.   

Should a city pay to promote its school district’s tax, though?

NBC 4’s Ana Jackson talked to residents and officials and got BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY.

More district cuts would mean a big blow to Grove City, according to Don Walters, business and community relations officer for the city.

“That impact on the city would be phenomenal, financially, because those employees pay income taxes,” Walter said.

Walters said South-Western City Schools is the largest employer in Grove City, and the first round of cuts already has cost the city about $100,000 a year in income-tax revenue.

City leaders have been considering a proposal to spend $10,000 to $20,000 taxpayer dollars to educate citizens about the economic impact of a failed levy, Walters said.

The monies would come from the city’s advertising budget, and the city would do the same for any big business in crisis.

Resident Nancy Smith said she’s OK with the expenditure.

“I care about the kids. I care about the people in my neighborhood. I care about my property values, and if we don’t start supporting schools, we’re all going to be very disappointed,” Smith said.

Resident Terry Jones, however, was outraged about the proposal. Jones is the president of South-Western Alternatives to Taxes, a political-action committee that opposes the ballot issue.

“I think it’s an inappropriation of taxpayers’ money. Why? Because they’re taking sides with one side of the community against the other part,” Jones said.

“It’s really still very fair in that all we’re doing is explaining. We’re not telling anybody to go vote Issue 2,” Walters said.

Jackson spoke to a member of the Grove City council who said the proposal still is new and nothing would be decided outside of regularly scheduled council meetings.

The next city council meeting was set for Monday, June 15.

For additional information, stay with nbc4i.com and NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com—Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail us at .
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video