UNIT 2 BOARD OF EDUCATION RAISES TAX LEVY BY NEARLY $100,000
The Unit 2 Board of Education met Monday night at the Greenville Junior High. The first two hours of the meeting were devoted to the passing of the 2012 tax levy. Superintendent Jeff Strieker requested a 6.2 percent increase in the levy. Strieker told the board and the large crowd in attendance the school faces many uncertainties and hurdles, including less general state aid, less money from the state for transportation, and roads around the schools that need improvement. Several community members commented against the levy increase and pointed out several other taxing bodies in Bond County have been able to keep their levies the same as last year or to a very minimal increase. After the conversation ended, board member Vance Daniken moved to keep the tax levy at the same amount as last year which was $5,526,864.00. That motion was seconded by board member Jackson but failed when it came to a vote with Daniken and Jackson voting yes and Moore, Frey, Young, Prater, and Gaffner voting no. Then a motion was made by Moore to raise the tax levy to $5,626,841.00, an increase of just under $100,000.00 but about 4.5 percent less than requested by Superintendent Strieker. The extra money in the levy would go into the Tort fund. That motion passed with Moore, Young, Jackson, and Gaffner voting yes and Daniken, Frey, and Prater voting no. Daniken said in voting no, the taxpayer deserved a break and the school district could go without a levy increase for one year. For property tax payers this increase will mean a real dollar increase to their property taxes in Bond County.
SMOKING VEHICLE ON INTERSTATE 70
Pocahontas-Old Ripley Firefighters responded Monday, at 7:15 a.m., to a report of a smoking vehicle in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 just east of the Pocahontas exit. According to information from the Greenville Police Department, upon arrival firefighters found a car with an overheated engine. There was no fire.
