LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– In the past few months, Fayette County Public Schools has been pushing for several tax increases.
Tuesday is the last day the clerk’s office will accept any petitions regarding push back on the five cent property tax for safety improvements at FCPS.
The property tax is estimated to bring in $13.5 million to help pay for numerous safety improvements at FCPS, adding everything from police and mental health professionals to metal detectors and social media monitoring in schools.
But this plan leaves the average homeowner to pay about $88 more a year.
Supporters of the petition believe the district should use the $30 million contingency fund that the district already has.
School Superintendent Manny Caulk says “it is irresponsible and misleading to suggest that a long-term solution like the comprehensive 10 point safety plan could be paid for with one time money like the contingency fund.”
He added that “at a time when safety is number one for our families, it is imperative that we address these issues in a permanent financially responsible way,” end quote.
If naysayers are able to turn in 14,000 signatures Tuesday, Fayette County voters will see the tax on the ballot in November.
