CVTC DISTRICT RESIDENT WILL SEE TAX INCREASE
Monday, October 22nd, 2007 -- 9:26 AM
Residents of the Chippewa Valley Technical College district will see that portion of their property tax bill jump as the board takes a "preemptive strike" against a possible state-imposed levy freeze.The levy is set to increase 5-percent, though not all that money is really necessary to operate the school.
CVTC President Bill Ihlenfeldt says the budget was actually built requiring only a four-percent increase, but because the state funding formula actually rewards spending, the board decided to levy an additional percent.
"We will not be rewarded for our efficiency. The colleges that will be rewarded will be the colleges that have spent the most," Ihlenfeldt said. "It goes against every grain of my body."
The big jump will give the college a "fighting chance."
"It was a preemptive move. The extra percent will be put in operation reserve, so it's not money that we're going to spend."
Ihlenfeldt says he thinks a state-aid formula based on expenditures doesn't make a lot of sense, and the formula only get more complicated from there.
Ihlenfeldt is retiring after 14 years as CVTC president.
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