04/23/2024
Fremont Community Schools (FCS) Demands New $21 Million Property Tax Grab
These past four years, families in our community have faced numerous financial challenges, including job losses, disrupted supply chains, skyrocketing inflation, and rising interest rates.
On top of all these financial stressors, Fremont Community Schools is demanding a massive new $21,205,723 ($21 Million) property tax grab at the ballot box only days from now, on Tuesday, May 7.
And they want you and your neighbors in Clear Lake, Fremont, and Jamestown Townships to pay for it. Fremont Community Schools is counting on the fact many FCS voters do not even know a property tax increase is on the ballot this spring.
If the proposed $21 Million tax grab by Fremont Community Schools passes, your wallet will be feeling the sting for the next eight years.
If the tax grab passes, the average residential property tax paid to the school system would increase by over 30%, and the average business property tax paid to the school system would increase by over 29%.
Fremont Community Schools is basing projections of over $21 Million total for this new tax grab on area assessed property valuations increasing by 3% per year. However, official forms FCS filed with the state clearly show the assessed value of property in the district increased by more than 6.4% from 2023 to 2024.
With a 6.4% projected annual increase in assessed property values, this proposed tax grab could actually cost taxpayers more than $23.9 Million over the next eight years. But I will quote $21 Million in this letter.
Keep in mind, this tax grab is being demanded as extra money. The $21 Million (for a school district with less than 1,000 students) would be on top of the regular funding already provided by the state of Indiana to Fremont Community Schools, creating a slush fund at the taxpayers’ expense.
[Text 260.619.4805 the word GRAB to get a reminder to vote. You will also receive a shareable graphic. And check out the page Stop FCS Indiana Tax Grab.]
This Is Another New $21 Million Property Tax Grab by FCS
Fremont Community Schools is marketing a false notion that the May 7 tax grab is somehow a renewal and not a new tax. But this statement by the school district is factually incorrect. Reality is, the 2015 Fremont Community Schools tax levy ended without being renewed in 2022.
Last spring, voters rebuked a new attempted tax grab by FCS. And now, only months later, Fremont Community Schools is at it again, demanding a massive new $21 Million property tax grab on May 7.
School District BANKS on You Not Paying Attention During a Primary Election
As bad as the proposed $21 Million property tax grab is, it is even more objectionable for Fremont Community Schools to be pushing for this tax hike during a primary election season.
You see, during the spring primary, many Indiana registered voters do not normally vote. They vote for their preferred candidates in the fall November elections, but not in the May primary.
And many of your neighbors have no idea Fremont Community Schools has placed a huge, $21 Million property tax grab on the ballot on Tuesday, May 7. By the time these folks think about voting in November, the eight-year FCS tax grab could be a done deal in Clear Lake, Fremont, and Jamestown Townships.
Fremont Community Schools has no intention of waiting until the fall election (when turnout would be higher) to hold this $21 Million property tax grab.
Matter of fact, Fremont Community Schools held a special petition drive just to move up the timetable and make sure this vote on a massive $21 Million tax grab would come during a spring primary election, when FCS is counting on less public opposition.
Of course, it is not really a surprise for Fremont Community Schools to place a property tax grab on the ballot during a low turnout election cycle, because they have done this before.
In addition to FCS holding their failed effort to raise your taxes last spring, the school system also ran their 2015 referendum during a low turnout municipal election year. The property tax grab passed narrowly that year, with 56% approval amid low turnout.
If your neighbors don’t vote May 7, the tax grab is likely to pass again this spring, just like in 2015. Your neighbors do not need to declare a political party if they only want to vote on the tax grab. They may vote on the FCS levy on a Republican or Democratic ballot, or they may request a non-partisan, tax ballot.
Bottom line: It’s vital you pass the word to your neighbors about this $21 Million tax vote set for May 7.
How Will the $21 Million Tax Grab Money Actually Be Spent?
Fremont Community Schools has 982 students enrolled. Over the next eight years, each class of 20 students would theoretically be allocated $53,986.06 EVERY YEAR as its share of this $21,205,723 tax grab. Remember, this is on top of the regular, annual budget money FCS is allocated each year by the state of Indiana.
How will this pot of taxpayer money be spent? Currently, Fremont Community Schools claims the extra cash from the proposed $21 Million property tax grab would be spent primarily on staff retention and academic programming.
However, there is no guarantee the teachers and other staff would see any of the money, or that students would benefit from enhanced programs if the $21 Million property tax grab passes.
As recently as last year, FCS claimed in the 2023 tax referendum push that their top priorities with the tax grab money were going to be staff retention and student safety. Yet this year, student safety has been replaced with academic programming as the second-ranked spending priority.
The bottom line is, Fremont Community Schools is able to pledge whatever spending priorities it believes will be popular with voters, all the while knowing how, if the $21 Million tax grab passes, the board and administration can later move this money around as they see fit, regardless of what was promised earlier.
In the fine print, the school system “reserves the right to amend this plan each year and over time,” which means voters are being asked to approve a $21 Million slush fund for Fremont Community Schools.
Remember, the school system already receives standard funding from the state of Indiana to operate each and every year. This $21 Million property tax grab FCS is demanding would be for extra spending.
How You Can Oppose This FCS $21 Million Property Tax Grab Set for May 7
If you wish to make your voice heard on the Fremont Community Schools $21 Million property tax grab, there are some steps you can take.
First, make sure you cast your vote regarding this $21 Million property tax grab, either on Tuesday, May 7, or during early voting, at sites established by the county election board.
Next, pass the word to your friends and neighbors. Most taxpayers in the community likely have no idea they face a $21 Million property tax grab on the ballot this May 7 in the primary election. Will you tell them?
Your neighbors do not need to declare a political party if they only want to vote on the tax grab. They may vote on the FCS levy on a Republican or Democratic ballot, or they may request a non-partisan, tax ballot.
[Text 260.619.4805 the word GRAB to get a reminder to vote. You will also receive a shareable graphic. And check out the page Stop FCS Indiana Tax Grab.]
Early Voting Times and Locations for Voting NO on FCS $21 Million Tax
For in person early voting this spring, Steuben County has established the following options:
• Weekdays, from now through Friday, May 3, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Steuben County Courthouse
• Saturdays, April 27 and May 4, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Steuben County Courthouse
• Saturdays, April 27 and May 4, 8:00 a.m. to noon, St. Anthony Catholic Church, 700 W. Maumee St, Angola.
• Last Day for In Person Early Voting, Monday, May 6, 8:00 a.m. to noon, Steuben County Courthouse
Election Day Voting Locations on Tuesday, May 7
On Election Day, May 7, Steuben County has seven sites where registered voters may vote on the proposed Fremont Community Schools $21 Million property tax grab, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.:
• Peace Lutheran Church, 355 E. State Road 120, Fremont.
• Steuben County Event Center, 100 Lane 101B Crooked Lake, Angola.
• St. Anthony Catholic Church, 700 W. Maumee St, Angola.
• YMCA of Steuben County, 500 E. Harcourt Rd., Angola.
• Orland Town Hall, 9535 W. St. Rd. 120, Orland.
• Pleasant Lake Community Church, 5142 S. Old Hwy. 27, Pleasant Lake.
• Hamilton United Methodist Church, 7780 S. Wayne St., Hamilton.
I will appreciate your opposition to this massive, $21 Million property tax grab by Fremont Community Schools. Tell your friends and neighbors about this, and vote to defeat the tax grab on or before May 7.
Again, the Fremont Community Schools Corporation already receives tax money to operate every year. This is extra tax revenue being demanded.
And despite what the school district is telling you, it is a new tax.
Fremont Community Schools is intentionally pushing for this tax grab in a primary election, when most district voters have no idea there is a $21 Million property tax referendum ballot waiting for them.
In addition, taxpayers have no way to be certain how this $21 Million slush fund would be spent, since the school system reserves the right to move the extra spending amounts around at will.
Vote NO on the tax.
Sincerely,
Dan Thiele
Republican Precinct Committeeman, Jamestown 1
P.S. Make sure to let your friends and neighbors know about this massive $21 Million proposed property tax grab by Fremont Community Schools on May 7. Tell your neighbors in Clear Lake, Fremont, and Jamestown Townships, “November will be too late.”
P.P.S. Remember to vote during in person early voting, or on Election Day, Tuesday, May 7.
Need a reminder to vote? Text 260.619.4805 the word GRAB
And check out the page Stop FCS Indiana Tax Grab
Independent Expenditure by Dan Thiele
