Election Day, Nov. 7, is right around the corner and by now everyone in Fountain Hills Should have received their ballots in the mail.

One of the two items making up this year’s election pertains to a Maintenance and Operations budget override for the Fountain Hills Unified School District.

The ballot language can be a little tricky for this item, with the item being voted on listed as simply a “Budget Increase.”

Before voting on the matter, it’s important to understand what, exactly, the local district is asking voters to weigh in on.

For starters, this is a continuation of an override already in place that provides about $1 million annually to local schools. The only major difference is that the proposed override (the one being voted on this election) is for 15 percent rather than the current 13.

FHUSD has provided backup information explaining where funds provided by the override go. Currently, the areas targeted include:

*Maintain all-day kindergarten.

*Provide teacher salary increases.

*Provide professional development.

*Hire additional staff for reading literacy support.

*Financially reward staff for outstanding performance.

*Enable the District to maintain its programs.

These are considered general areas and could be redirected over the course of the override, depending on what is deemed best by the current Governing Board.

Whereas capital funds go toward the physical aspects of maintaining a school district, an M&O override goes toward teachers and programs.

Cost

The full budget override amount is estimated to be $1,115,857 annually and would be funded with an estimated $0.24 tax rate per $100 of net assessed valuation for secondary property taxes. This is approximately $0.03 higher than the tax rate for the existing override.

The current override results in a cost of about $21 per $100,000 of assessed value of a home. If the increase is approved, that figure would be about $3 higher, or $24 per $100,000 of assessed value.

Election

For those mailing in their ballots, they must be received or dropped off at one of the ballot drop box locations designated by the county elections department no later than 7 p.m. Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017.

The last day to register to vote in this election is Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. Ballots are expected to hit the mail Oct. 11.

If, however, you wish to vote in person, that may be done at the FHUSD Learning Center, located adjacent to the District Office along Palisades Blvd. Polls are open from Saturday, Oct. 28, through Tuesday, Nov. 7. Weekend hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with weekday hours during that period being from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The polling station will be open Election Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.