The Christian County School Board unanimously passed a 5.5 cent increase to the property tax at Thursday’s meeting after much discussion and public input.
The tax rate on real property will go from 42.8 to 48.3 cents per $100 of assessed value—meaning the owner of a $100,000 home will pay an extra $55 in property taxes annually.
Before the regular meeting, the board held a state mandated tax levy hearing and heard from about a dozen citizens, the majority of which were in favor of the hike and a few were Hopkinsville High School students.
Micah Perkins was one of several students who spoke in favor of the tax, saying the conditions of the high school make it difficult to learn and it’s time for a new one.
Dottie Faulkner did not speak for or against the tax, but did ask that an exception be made for the elderly, like her parents, who live on fixed incomes.
Superintendent Mary Ann Gemmill spoke passionately about taking the increase, saying the time for patching work is over and it’s time to make a commitment to the students. Board chair Linda Keller stated that while a sales tax increase would be fairer, it’s not an option for the board to take—the nickel tax is the only one they are allowed by the state.
Board member Lindsey Clark voted in support of the hike for the first time, saying the need is great.
Gemmill assured that the additional funds generated from the increase will be used solely for construction of two new academic buildings on the campuses of Hopkinsville High School and then later, Christian County High School.
By taking the five cent increase, the school system also increased its bonding capacity from $15 million to $51 million, with the possibility existing that the Kentucky General Assembly could vote to provide equalization on that tax.
The tax increase is substantial enough that it’s recallable, meaning registered voters in Christian County could start a petition to attempt an override of the board’s decision. The petition would have to be signed by at least 10 percent of the number of registered voters who voted in the 2016 presidential election in Christian County.