Taxes increase for EIS

The  Elizabethtown Independent Schools board voted  Monday night to raise its annual tax rate at its monthly meeting.

The board voted unanimously to raise the rate on real and personal property to 67 cents per $100. Last year’s tax rate was 65 cents per $100 of property.

The new rate gives the district a 4 percent increase in revenue from the previous year, and was the maximum rate the board could set for the year. The rate will give the district about $5.6 million in revenue, an increase of almost $167,500 from last year.

The tax rate for vehicles was set at 53.8 cents per $100.

The board held a public hearing before its regular meeting to hear from taxpayers about the proposed rate. No one attended.

There was no discussion among the board about the rate. Superintendent Gary French spoke of the need for the increase.

“We’re very sensitive to our community and we know these are very challenging times,” French said. But the district must meet its responsibilities in all situations.

“It’s a shared responsibility, educating children,” he said.

The district appreciates what the community gives to them, and they work to give back as well, he said.

“We give back when those seniors walk across the graduation stage,” he said.

Kelly Cantrall can be reached at (270) 505-1747 or kcantrall@thenewsenterprise.com.