By KELLY WILSON
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
John Wood Community College's proposed property tax levy for 2008 is $502,801 higher than last year's extension, an 11.25 percent increase.
It is the first time in about seven years that the proposed levy has been more than 5 percent above the previous year's extension, which requires a public hearing.
College officials say the $4,284,910 levy is necessary to ensure the college doesn't operate in the red, and will allow for $220,000 in enhanced security and telephone system upgrades.
"This money will be needed to help fund the future needs of the institution," said Alan Steigelman, vice president for finance and business services. "Without increasing the levy, we would be operating in a deficit."
JWCC trustees on Wednesday approved a resolution regarding the Truth in Taxation Act and scheduled a public hearing on the proposed levy for Dec. 17 as part of the regular board meeting. Trustees will act on the levy after the hearing.
Based on the proposed levy, the estimated tax rate would be 40.173 cents per $100 equalized assessed valuation.
Steigelman said preliminary numbers indicate that an owner of a house in Quincy Township valued at $100,000 would pay $133.96 for JWCC's portion of the tax bill, which is $12.23 more than last year. That example is for a person who has owned a home for more than a year and has a homeowner's exemption, and also takes into account the estimated rise in property value.
"This is one of two places to go (for funds). The other is tuition," Steigelman said. "State funding is very soft and over the years we've increased our tuition quite dramatically. We want to keep a balance so we're not hitting one side or the other too hard."
Steigelman emphasizes that the levy increase of this size is "a very unique situation" and "project-specific."
The $220,000 in security and telephone system upgrades includes $40,000 for a safety and security enhancement project and $180,000 to replace the college's phone system. Both expenses were approved Wednesday by trustees.
"There have been security problems at institutions, including community colleges," Steigelman said. "We need to enhance our campus police and security systems to avoid those problems in the future."
The safety and security project includes the installation of indoor and outdoor security cameras at the new Workforce Development Center, 4220 Koch's Lane, and installation of additional outdoor security cameras at the main campus at 48th and Harrison. Campus police will be able to monitor security cameras from computers on and off campus.
The phone system replacement project includes the replacement of the college's analog phone system, which was installed in 1991, with an Internet-protocol-based phone system in all college facilities throughout the district. In addition to providing better service and more functions, the system will provide enhanced 911 capabilities, as required by a new state law.
In addition to funds for those two projects, Steigelman said the proposed levy increase represents a dramatic growth in the equalized assessed valuation of property in the district.
Trustee Reggie Coleman expressed concern about raising taxes in this economy.
"I don't know how I'll vote in December ... but asking people to pay more in taxes at this time doesn't sit well with me," he said, but added that he understands the need for the security and telephone system upgrades.
"I am not one to increase taxes at all. But if we don't do what we're planning to do, we would be in a deficit position," said trustee Randy Sims. "And from what I understand, this is a one-time expenditure."
In other action, trustees accepted the low bid of $174,900 submitted by Luke Lansing Construction for interior renovation at the Workforce Development Center. The company was one of seven companies to bid on the work, and the bid was more than $100,000 lower than the architectural firm estimated.
The work, which must be completed by February, involves construction of partition walls, doors and frames, wall and ceiling finishes, electrical and lighting.
Steigelman said that the previous owner has vacated the building and that three JWCC staff members -- Mike Denum and Kelly Lewis of the Business and Industry programs office and Don Hess of the Truck Driver Training program -- relocated to the facility on Nov. 14. All trucks and equipment associated with the truck driver training program remain at the current site at 3711 Dye Road for now.
-- kwilson@whig.com/221-3391
