The Jefferson County Commission at its Jan. 30 meeting was expected to approve a revised amended resolution that will allow the county to collect an additional levy for the state school equalization tax this spring.
Jefferson County, along with 49 other counties, in October adopted a 77.9 mill rate for the equalization tax for the 2023-24 tax year, lower than the mandated 95-mill rate, arguing that the state should be held to the same legal cap on property taxes as municipalities.
But the state Supreme Court in November ruled against the county revolt, ordering the counties to collect the remainder of the school equalization levy, which is intended to even out the funding available to wealthier and poorer districts.
The County Commission resolution acknowledges the court’s decision and reinstates the full levy. “It makes me kind of sad,” said County Treasurer Terri Kunz. Her office will send second-half tax notices reflecting the higher equaliztion tax by the end of March. Property owners will have until May to pay the new bills.
