Local Democratic Party leadership supports Muncie Community Schools’ efforts in an upcoming referendum on a new property tax rate to pay for school buses.
Delaware County Democratic Party Chairman Steve Stewart held a press conference Tuesday afternoon to announce support for the Nov. 5 referendum, in which voters will cast ballots for or against a new property tax rate to generate $3.2 million to pay for yellow school bus service during the 2014-15 school year.
Stewart made reference to his job as chief of the Muncie Police Department in touting the referendum.
“I think I know a little about the safety of kids, being a 28-year police veteran,” Stewart said.
Stewart was joined in the announcement at Democratic Party Headquarters by employees of M&M Bus Co., the school system’s bus contractor.
Don’t expect an announcement about how the Delaware County Republican Party stands on the issue, however: In a phone interview with The Star Press, local GOP Chairman Will Statom said he didn’t think it was appropriate to get involved.
“School board elections and associated activities are nonpartisan,” Statom said, adding that he believed the referendum was “an associated activity.”
Stewart was the only speaker at the announcement, although there had been some expectation that Mayor Dennis Tyler or other prominent Democrats might attend.
Standing in front of a large yellow sign promoting a “yes” vote, Stewart said he spoke with Democratic Party precinct officials, who make up the framework of the party, and answered their questions about the referendum. Party officials unanimously supported the referendum, he added.
School officials have said that if the referendum passes, the resulting new property tax rate of about 22 cents per $100 of assessed value would cost the owner of a $75,000 home about $31 a year in additional taxes. Stewart quoted slightly different figures on Tuesday: Taxes of $22 on a home assessed at $50,000.
The tax rate — set to continue for seven years — would generate $3.3 million the first year for the school’s transportation fund.
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