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A levy for the Trimble Local School District is one step closer to the November ballot

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GLOUSTER, Ohio (WOUB) — A levy for the Trimble Local School District is one step closer to the ballot this November. 

The state commission with oversight over Trimble’s finances voted unanimously to proceed with the measure at its meeting Wednesday. 

Kim Richard holding microphone at Trimble State Commission Meeting
Kim Richard speaks on levy at Trimble State Commission meeting [Ty Carpenter | WOUB]
The levy is a 1% earned income tax levy over five years, which would generate about $665,000 annually. To provide an example, an individual earning a $30,000 salary would pay $300 for the year.  

The tax will affect only earned incomes, and retirees on fixed incomes will not have to pay.  

Before voting for the levy, members of the state commission expressed concern about whether voters would support the levy and if the district had clearly informed the public about the levy’s details. Interim Superintendent Lindy Douglas assured the commission that this proposal was thoroughly discussed. 

“We had a very good discussion about this at our meeting this month,” said Douglas. “Earned income tax versus regular, is it five years or is it continuous, … much discussion was done. And we’ll probably talk about it again at our next meeting.” 

The measure comes as the school district faces a projected deficit of $11 million by 2029, placing Trimble under fiscal emergency, which gave the state commission oversight over the district’s finances. 

The proposal now heads to the county auditor for review before returning to the board of education, where it may then be placed in the ballot.  

The Trimble Board of Education meets next on Aug. 21. The state commission will meet on Aug. 28.