CPS Renewal Levy

No, as a renewal of a fixed sum levy, this will not raise an individual’s property taxes.

A “mill” is 1/1000 of the assessed value of your property. In Ohio, your assessed value is 35% of the appraised value of your property.  For example, if you live in a house valued at $100,000, the assessed value is $35,000. One mill for this property would be $35.00.

The county auditor has calculated the millage of this levy as 5.05 mills. For the $100,000 property above, this translates to $177 per year. 

The term “emergency” is required as part of the ballot language for any fixed sum levy. This levy was created as a fixed sum in 2016 as a way to ensure fixed annual amounts were allocated to both preschool expansion and the district’s operating expenses.    

An "emergency levy" is a type of property tax to generate a specific, fixed amount of money when a district faces financial challenges that threaten the quality of education and services provided to students.  Emergency levy funds may be used for day-to-day operational costs, salaries, supplies, transportation, and facilities maintenance.

A fixed sum levy is designed to collect the same amount of taxes every year. This provides a steady, predictable income stream for the life of the levy.  When property values increase, the millage for this levy decreases.  

This levy supports both preschool and K-12 education.  Of the $48M this levy raises, $15M is dedicated to preschool expansion while the remaining $33M goes to CPS operations.

The levy was first passed in 2016 for 5 years with 62% of the vote. It was renewed in 2020 with nearly 70% of the voters supporting it.

The levy accounts for around 5% of the district’s operating budget. These funds support key initiatives such as expanding career- and college-readiness programs, strengthening our neighborhood schools, and maintaining student access to technology.

The preschool portion of this levy is divided between CPS and Cincinnati Preschool Promise according to a master agreement between the organizations.