Eureka's school millage vote includes residents beyond city limits

EUREKA SPRINGS -- Some voters west of the Kings River may not realize that even though they do not live in the city of Eureka Springs, they pay personal property (vehicles) and real estate taxes (homes and land) to support the Eureka Springs schools.

The school district is comprised of city residents, as well residents of the Beaver, Johnson Springs, Winona and Packard Springs voting precincts.

A millage increase, if passed, will affect all owners of real and personal property in the school district, and the lion's share of the tax millage goes to the schools.

On Feb. 9, the Eureka Springs School District is seeking a 1.98 tax mills increase in order to build a new high school, estimated to cost about $10.6 million.

Current total millage on real and personal property varies, depending on where a person lives. Those who live in the city limits pay 48.55 mills; those in Holiday Island, 46.15 mills; and those in the remaining precincts, 44.15 mills.

Within these totals, 34.15 mills curently go to the schools. Other amounts go to the Carroll County general fund, the county road fund, the county library system and ambulance services.

The millage is multipled by the valuation of one's property, based on property assessments performed every three years by the county.

According to figures released by the new high school Promotion Committee, the millage increase averages out to increase the tax on a $100,000 home by $39.60 per year; on a $200,000 home by $79.20; and on a $250,000 home by $99.

Regardless of whether a resident supports the new high school, in order to vote in the Feb. 9 special election, residents must be registered to vote by Jan. 11.

Voter registration forms can be obtained at the Eureka Springs Courthouse on South Main Street, or at the Berryville Courthouse. They can be turned in at either location or mailed.

The new high school millage special election will take place Feb. 9 at the Best Western Eureka Inn at the corner of Highway 62 West and Highway 23 North from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

For more information on registering to vote, call the courthouses at (479) 253-8646 in Eureka Springs or (870) 423-2022 in Berryville. For questions about the new high school, call Superintendent Wayne Carr at 253-5999.