State legislation impacts Brunswick City Schools' levies

BRUNSWICK — Brunswick Schools will have to go on the ballot more often to renew its existing levies due to state legislation. Treasurer Mark Pepera presented the district's five-year forecast to the board of education on Tuesday. Brunswick Schools has five fixed-sum levies. Pepera said previously the levies could have a 10-year duration, but state legislation shortened the length to a maximum of five years until it needs to be renewed or expires. "Basically, what you're saying is we have to go on the ballot twice as much as we had to before," board member Kim Goessler said. Pepera mapped out future renewals under the new framework. The district would be back on the ballot in 2028 for its next renewal, and there would be a gap year in 2029 as long as nothing changes financially within the district. "Then starting in 2030, I charted it out to 2043, we will be on the ballot every year just to renew the existing fixed-sum levies we have," he said. "That's because of new legislation. If the new legislation were not in play, you would not see that many times on the ballot to renew." The district is concerned that being on the ballot so often will contribute to levy fatigue, Pepera said. "(Levy fatigue) ignores whether we have a renewal levy or it's a brand new levy asking for additional money," he said. "Why are you back at it? You were just on the ballot last year. Whether that's true or not, that's a real issue we find here in Brunswick and in schools around the state of Ohio." Brunswick Schools also raised concerns about the expanded authority of the Medina County Budget Commission, which was granted by the state. Pepera said the budget commission would have the ability to reduce existing millage that was already voted in. "With school revenues, there's a lot of uncertainty to begin with," he said. "Then you add that layer of complexity or unknown to what our revenue stream might be for subsequent years. That concerns not only myself and the superintendent but our board as well, obviously, for our students in this community." The district will have to discuss why reserves are needed with the county budget commission, Pepera said. The district's revenue is remaining relatively flat, while expenses are trending upward. When the lines cross, the district has to go into its fund balance, which is why school districts have reserves. "The intended purpose is to make sure we have money when those lines do cross, and we don't have to go back out to our community and ask them for more," he said. "We still have enough money to operate." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.