School City of Mishawaka’s $28 million construction
referendum has been denied by voters. 69 percent of those who went to the polls today shot down the measure, which would have resulted in a property tax increase.
For homeowners, it would have meant an extra $105 annually for a $100,000 residence.
The work-to-be-done list is lengthy with some combination of security- and technology-related upgrades and facilities improvements and repairs at every building in the district.
School officials have said they had little choice but to turn to property owners for the financing.
Circuit Breaker tax caps limit the amount of money schools can collect via levies. And, Mishawaka schools is negatively impacted by a decreasing assessed valuation within its boundaries, as well as a tax base that's largely residential rather than business and manufacturing.
As for what’s next, Superintendent Terry Barker has said the district will have very limited funds to do any major repairs. The cycle of letting one need go so that another more urgent one can be addressed, will likely continue, he's said.
to do any major repairs. The cycle of letting one need go so that another more urgent one can be addressed, will likely continue, he's said.
The district could pursue another referendum in May 2015, but even if it passed, that would put off major repairs and upgrades, Barker has said, until the summer of 2016.
Some 4,100 voters -- 18 percent of those registered -- turned out for the special election today.
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