Columbia voters passed the school bond issue by a margin of 23 percent. This means a twelve cent increase on every 100 dollars a Columbia resident pays in property taxes. School board member Jonathan Sessions says this bond will go towards building a new elementary school and eliminating trailers at the elementary level. School board members attribute the success of the bond issue to the board’s communication with voters.
The tax levy was also passed last night. Columbia residents will now pay an extra 40 cents in property taxes, bringing the total tax to $4.48 for every $100 of assessed valuation of real and personal property. This is the first tax increase since 2003. It is expected to bring in $7 to $8 million and will fund the school district’s operating budget, salaries and classroom technology.