The Pine-Richland citizen group that was formed to study tax alternatives has recommended that the district ask voters if they want an increase in the earned income tax from 0.5 percent to 1.3 percent in exchange for lowered property taxes.

The money generated from the higher earned income tax rate would be used to lower property taxes on qualified residential properties by a flat rate of $839, according to the Pine-Richland Act 1 Tax Commission, which made its recommendation to the school board Dec. 5. The $839 is based on the median assessed value of a home in the district being $166,000, according to the district.

The state has required each school district to consider alternatives to the current funding structure, which derives most of its revenue from property taxes.

The board took no action on the proposal.

Details on the tax commission's report is available at www.pinerichland.org/taxcommission.htm.

Also at its Dec. 5 meeting, the board appointed Michael Hinson to replace Judith Brant, who resigned from the board because she was moving out of the district.

Mr. Hinson, of Pine, is a corporate controller for Medrad, a medical equipment manufacturer. He will represent Region 1 in Pine.

Also at the meeting, Gary Deschamps was reappointed president and Steven Hawbaker was reappointed vice president.

Under a schedule approved for 2007, the board will continue to hold planning meetings on the first Tuesday of each month and regular meetings on the third Tuesday of each month. In July, only one meeting will be held, on July 17.

All meetings will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the DeWitt B. Blank conference room.