Greenville County Schools, known both for its hunger for taxpayer money and for its flagrant waste and ineffectiveness, has been called to account for it’s illegal 1992 tax increase where it raised taxes over double the amount legally permitted. From the article:

Several hundred county taxpayers have requested a refund for their share of $6 million in 2006 school taxes that County Auditor Scott case has said exceeded the legal limit.

However, Case and County Attorney Mark Tollison said the county has no legal authority to issue a refund of school taxes and that taxpayers filing for refunds may have to appeal to the courts before they stand a chance of getting their money back.

Among those filing refund claims is Ned Sloan, county officials say. He has repeatedly challenged the government in court over taxpayer issues.

School board Chairman Keith Ray reiterated the district’s claim that its $13 million 2006 tax increase was legal, and that he’s “confident” the district can explain the levy in court.

At issue is 1992 local legislation that applies a four-mill cap on school tax increases each year.

School officials have argued they’re entitled to two tax increases ó one to cover school growth as required by law plus the added four tax mills if the school board votes to use it ó and that the county auditor’s office approved both increases in 2006.

However, an attorney general’s opinion says that would amount to “a double tax increase for the same item” and state Sen. David Thomas, who helped write the local legislation, said four mills has always been the total legal limit.

Read the entire article HERE.

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