An amendment to the resolution calling for an election to extend the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School’s Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) was approved on July 15.

The original resolution was authorized by the board on July 11 and was submitted to O’Brien County Commissioner of Elections Barb Rohwer. She indicated some language in the document, which was prepared by the school’s attorney, Steve Avery, could not be included on the ballot.

According to discussion, the district then asked Ahlers & Cooney, P.C. to prepare an amended resolution which will be substituted for the original.

Superintendent Patrick Carlin said the basic content of the resolution is the same. It calls for an election on Sept. 10 which will allow voters to approve a 10-year extension of the PPEL levy. The proposed total levy amount will not exceed $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. That is an increase from the current maximum PPEL levy of 67 cents.

Revenues would be generated through a combination of property taxes and an income surtax on state individual income taxes of resident taxpayers. The proposed maximum surtax rate is 20 percent.

If approved by voters, the new levy goes into effect on July 1, 2024.