Beecher City Board Approves Shelby County Tax Swap, Discusses Greenhouse Project

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Published on November 13 2013 3:16 pm
Last Updated on November 13 2013 3:16 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

Beecher City school board members Tuesday approved a Shelby County tax swap proposal, and are expected to take a similar vote for the Effingham County swap proposal next month.

The proposal asks voters to increase the sales tax in the Shelby County portion of the Beecher City district by 1% with a promise from the district to reduce property taxes on any existing bonds.

Beecher City Superintendent Scott Cameron said only 24 district students live in Shelby County so the Shelby County swap is expected to generate $6,500 for the district.  Cameron expects a similar vote at the December meeting for the portion of the district in Effingham County, where the tax swap is forecast to generate $230,000.  

Voters will consider the tax swap proposals in the Spring 2014 election.

The Board approved a tax levy tentatively calling for a 4.98% increase over what was actually extended for taxes last year.  Cameron said the Tort and Insurance levy is being reduced by 10 cents since the district has a sufficient balance of funds in the category.  A final vote on the levy should occur at the December meeting.

Board members expelled one student through the end of the current school year.

The Board also discussed building a greenhouse at the junior-senior high school building.  Cameron said the idea was proposed in recent years, but budget cuts held up the start of work on the project.  He said he has spoken this fall with the FFA leadership at Beecher City and said they're enthusiastic about the idea, which involves construction of an 18-by-24-foot building.  Cameron will meet with organizers Friday morning, by which they hope to have architect's proposed costs available.  The greenhouse would be built on the northeast corner of the building between the school building and the bus garage.  

Cameron said they'd be seeking donations not only of cash but of labor and materials to get the greenhouse completed.  They hope the project will be completed next August.