Riverside board asks state tax commissioner for levy-rate estimates after debate; resolution approved 4–1

The Riverside Local Board of Education voted 4–1 to adopt a resolution requesting the state tax commissioner provide estimate rates that would be needed to raise a specified annual amount for district purposes either through an additional property tax or a school-district earned income tax.

The resolution — which on its face asks for rate estimates tied to the amount stated in the resolution’s body — does not itself place a levy on the ballot. Instead it asks the county/state offices for numbers that the board can use to evaluate options. Trustees debated the guidance at length: some members urged separating an operating ask from a facilities ask, while others said the community deserves a single comprehensive proposal that funds both immediate operating needs and a multiyear facilities plan.

Board members raised technical and timeline issues: an earned income tax requires a longer ramp to full collections (administration noted collections can take up to two years to fully mature), whereas an added property tax produces partial collections more quickly. Trustees also discussed the role of OFCC/state participation in facility projects and whether the campus renovation proposal reflected all facility priorities raised in prior years (bus garage, maintenance facilities, parking were named among items board members said may not be fully covered in the submitted plan).

During public comment a resident, Brian Massie, clarified a tax calculation question reported earlier in committee: he said the county auditor confirmed Riverside’s gain from the 20-mill-floor change was $36,000 — not $3.6 million — a point he read on the record to the board.

The roll-call vote on the resolution passed 4–1. Miss Brewster voted no and explained she was reluctant to move forward before additional vetting on alternatives (separate operating ask, OFCC participation, vendor procurement and clearer phasing). The motion instructs the administration to pursue the tax-commissioner estimates and return to the board with the numbers and additional detail so trustees can decide whether to place a specific levy proposal before voters.

What’s next: Administration will collect the requested estimates and provide comparative scenarios (property tax millage equivalent and earned-income-tax percentage, phasing and collection-timing implications) so the board can decide on a second resolution to place a levy question on an upcoming ballot.