This week we received a letter outlining the proposed Mehlville School District bond proposal. For the most part, the work seems reasonable. Although the cost is $2.4 million per year for the term of the bonds, it is described as a “no-tax-increase” proposal because the Board of Education is voluntarily decreasing the operating levy by an equal amount. My concern is the “no-tax-increase” description. By retiring the COP (certificates of participation) leases, the board appears to be freeing up about $9 million and will use about $6.6 million for operating needs, leaving $2.4 million voluntarily deferred. How long will it be until these additional funds are needed for operations? At that point, the “no tax-increase” bond proposal is, in effect, a tax increase. This could be done at any time.