Jackson County commissioners are considering placing a 105-million-dollar school bond referendum before voters this fall.
Commissioners voted Tuesday night to hold a public hearing on the proposal August 4th at 6:25 p.m. at the Jackson County Administration and Justice Center on Grindstaff Cove Road in Sylva.
If commissioners approve placing the measure on the ballot, voters would decide the issue November 3rd.
The bonds would be repaid over 20 years and used for school construction, renovations, equipment, land purchases and related infrastructure. Proposed projects include completing athletic fields originally planned for Smoky Mountain Middle School, improvements to the gym, kitchen and cafeteria at Blue Ridge School, accessibility and other upgrades at the Smoky Mountain High School football field, and work on the school systemโs bus garage.
County estimates show the bonds would require an annual property tax increase of about 48 dollars and 60 cents for each 100-thousand dollars of assessed property value. That would equal approximately 145 dollars and 80 cents per year for property valued at 300-thousand dollars.
Jackson County Public Schools Superintendent Dana Ayers said she supports allowing voters to decide the proposal and is encouraging residents to attend the August 4th hearing. The referendum has not yet been approved for the November ballot.
