Community Corner
PATCH POLL: Do You Agree With the Batavia School Board's Levy Decision?
Do the red signs around town represent the opinions of the majority of Batavia residents or a vocal few?
There are a number of signs around Batavia — or at least there were prior to Tuesday's School Board vote — sounding a cry for School District 101 to "Lower the Levy."
School officials had the difficult task of deciding whether to hike the levy by 13 percent and make use of the improved property values from the expiration of the Premium Outlet Mall TIF district or ask for a lower levy that would have decreased the tax impact on residents next year — and likely for years to come.
The School Board voted in favor of the full $73 million total levy, citing the need for education improvements, staff increases and debt abatement and noting that the average Batavia homeowner would still see his or her tax bill lowered by $28 next year.
Lower the Levy proponents said the district should have used some or all of the Premium Outlet Mall TIF windfall to ease the property-tax burden.
Do the red signs around town represent the opinions of the majority of Batavia residents or a vocal few?
Let us know what you think the comments field below, on the Batavia Patch Facebook page or by taking the Patch Poll included in this article.
