NB board raises tax levy 20 cents

The R-3 School District Board of Education Thursday night raised the district's debt service tax levy 20 cents from $1.14 to $1.34 per $100 assessed valuation.

The board gave unanimous approval to the tax hike after holding a public hearing on the issue. No patrons of the district spoke on the issue.

Superintendent David Tramel said an increase in the tax rate for debt service is necessary to avoid deep cuts in the school's operating budget.

Tramel said the debt service rate hike is equivalent to an annual tax increase of about $38 for a home with a market value of $100,000.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.