No Backdoor Referendum In Peru

An attempt to lessen the impact of a library tax levy increase in Peru has fallen short.      

Yesterday was the last day to turn in petitions to have a referendum on the February ballot allowing the abatement of the working cash portion of the levy, reducing it by 112 thousand dollars.

The levy is going up do to a demand by the library board to the city council.  The council and city attorney feel legally, they must comply with the library board’s request.  It’s estimated the increase will drive up the property taxes on a home worth 150 thousand dollars to 85 dollars for just the library portion of the tax bill.   

Those against the levy needed 688 signatures, but City Clerk Dave Bartley says 412 were collected.