The Tea Area School District 41‑5 board reviewed its annual levy trend report, which shows continued declines in owner-occupied property levies and a 24¢ decrease in the bond redemption levy from last year.

The report, presented by the district business manager, said the bond redemption levy fell from $2.66 last year to $2.42 this year. The capital outlay levy decreased from $2.52 to $2.49, the general fund owner-occupied levy dropped from $1.19.07 to $1.12.05, and the special education levy went from 1.488 to 1.462, the presentation said.

The business manager said the district is intentionally reducing the bond redemption levy over time to create room in the fund for future building projects while also pursuing a district goal to decrease debt. "When you decrease the levy, it actually increases room to save on more debt so that we can build buildings," the business manager said.

Board members asked how pending state legislation on property taxes could affect the district. The business manager said the three levies presented are set by the state and apply to pay 26 as currently configured, though lawmakers have discussed proposals that could nearly eliminate some levies and shift funding elsewhere. "If they eliminate those levies, it will decrease taxes significantly for homeowners," the business manager said, adding it is unclear whether any change would apply only to owner-occupied property or more broadly.

District officials noted the levy trend remains subject to local tax valuation changes and legislative action. Since 2016 the total owner-occupied levy for the district has fallen by $3.714, the report said.

The board received the levy trend report as information; no levy increase was proposed at the meeting.

The district identified the levy-chart scoring approach on its internal scoreboard that grades levy movement and noted the score adjustments would apply when no new projects (new bond issues) are added to the district's capital plan.