Voters approve tax increase

SHEFFIELD - Sheffield voters Tuesday overwhelmingly supported a new 5-mill property tax increase that will take the school district from collecting 19 to 24 mills.

That increase will restore about $214,000 per year in revenue for the district that was cut earlier this year in city appropriations.

Tuesday's vote represented 64 percent of residents in favor of the increased tax. Of the 814 votes cast, 524 were in favor of it while 290 voted against the measure.

City clerk Clayton Kelly said the voter turnout was heavier than expected. The last election held earlier this year for a renewal tax drew about 700 voters to the polls. That measure passed by an 88 percent margin.

"The schools did a good job of getting the word out about voting for the tax," Kelly said. "We'll have temporary canvassing of the results by noon tomorrow and then will have it officially in a week."

Sheffield schools Superintendent Richard Gardner said the vote speaks volumes about the desire of Sheffield residents.

"I'm very proud of our citizens because they've said with this vote that they believe in the young people of Sheffield," Gardner said. "The students are the winners here."

The school district will begin collecting proceeds from the tax in October 2008. It will be collected for 20 years before its renewal comes up again for a vote.

In Sheffield, one mill is worth approximately $40,000. The increase means residents owning a $100,000 home will pay about $50 more per year in property taxes.

Mayor Billy Don Anderson called the vote "incredibly important."

"I'm proud of our citizens for voicing this positive message for our city," Anderson said.

The highest voter turnout was in District 5, where 199 people voted in favor of the tax while 118 voted against it. The lowest number of voters were from District 4, with only 83 ballots cast.

Gardner said the tax should generate enough revenue to prevent personnel cuts next year and for the school district to operate at the same capacity as it will this year.

Lisa Singleton-Rickman can be reached at 740-5735 or lisa.singleton-rickman@timesdaily.com