Two tax increase referendums for Perry County school districts received a split decision from voters on Tuesday.
Cannelton City Schools asked for, and received, voter approval to increase property taxes by as much as 0.41 cents per $100 assessed valuation over the next seven years.
The district of about 285 students has had financial difficulties in recent years. It was criticized in a state audit covering 2007-2009 as being delinquent on federal taxes and burdened by debt.
Officials have since said that debts are paid and a tax settlement is imminent with the Internal Revenue Service.
The referendum was approved by 53 percent of Cannelton voters. Cannelton officials, in pushing for the referendum’s passage, said the added revenue would help the district remain independent.
The neighboring Tell City-Troy Township School Corp., meanwhile, lost a vote that would have allowed a capital projects tax increase of 0.16 cents per $100 assessed valuation.
Tell City officials said the measure would have raised $6 million for a renovation and expansion project at Tell City Junior-Senior High School.
Fifty-seven percent of Tell City voters opposed the referendum.