Sheffield votes on tax today

SHEFFIELD -- City officials say there has not been a lot of conversation about today's special election in Sheffield, but there will be plenty of people at local schools who will he very interested in the vote totals tonight.

Sheffield residents will determine whether they want to continue a 5-mill property tax that goes directly to city schools.

The tax has been collected for 20 years. Today's vote will merely authorize further collection of the tax, which generates about $200,000 annually for Sheffield schools.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

School officials say many programs and class offerings could be in jeopardy if voters turn down the tax.

City schools have already lost $395,000 after the city cut its appropriation. Combined, the school district could lose more than a half-million dollars.

"There's no way to take that kind of cut and still be able to offer our students all the programs we're currently offering," said schools Superintendent Richard Gardner. "To lose this amount would be devastating."

The tax costs $5 a year for a Sheffield homeowner whose property has value of $100,000, city officials said. If the property has a value of $50,000, the homeowner would pay $2.50 a year.