Post #4 – Bonds and Ballot statement
Eagle Vision – Part II
Debt Certificates / Funding Bonds (Voted Bonds after referendum)
On Monday, November 16, 2020, the Jasper County Board of Education voted 6-1 to move forward with a resolution providing for the issue of not to exceed $20,000,000.00 of debt certificates of the District for the purpose of building and equipping additions to and altering, repairing and equipping school buildings and facilities and improving sites.
The actual amount being sought is $15.7 million. This amount was arrived upon through the use of conservative estimates in revenue, taking into account the likely eventual closure of the power plant, and utilizing a portion 1% sales tax funds to abate taxes to ensure that this borrowing would result in no tax increase for the citizens of this district.
After serious consideration and the presentation of additional options, the Board members and Mr. Johnson feel the best and most transparent approach to the desired projects is to give the residents of Jasper County the opportunity to be a part of these crucial decisions. Therefore, the Board is working on a referendum question that will be added to the April 2021 election ballot. This will reverse the earlier route of $20,000,000 in debt certificates in favor of putting the ultimate decision into the hands of voters. The Board will work diligently over the next several months to provide all voters with factual information and to help them make the most educated decision possible for future facility enhancements to promote the educational opportunities in Jasper County.
