Lenny Hansen, assistant superintendent for finance, told the West Bend School Board the district’s preliminary 2025–26 budget projects a flat mill rate of $6.14 per $1,000 of assessed value and a balanced general fund budget, but cautioned that preliminary state aid data points due Oct. 15 could change the final numbers.

Hansen said a key driver is state equalization aid. "We are in that two-thirds of districts" that are projected to receive less state aid, he said, and the district’s preliminary projection shows about a $1.8 million reduction in state aid for 2025–26. Because revenue-limit authority combines state aid and property taxes, Hansen said an increase in the state revenue limit ($325 per student this year) with no corresponding state-aid increase effectively shifts more of that authority to property taxes.

Hansen explained why a flat mill rate does not guarantee an unchanged individual tax bill: four factors matter — a homeowner’s individual property value change, the municipality’s total property-value change, relative changes among municipalities that share the district, and the total amount of levy set by all taxing authorities. He noted the district’s total equalized property value is projected to grow about 9.3% this year versus an 8% statewide average, which can spread levy over more value but produces uneven outcomes for taxpayers in different municipalities.

The district will finalize the budget and levy recommendation at the Oct. 27 board meeting after the state releases final data. If the board approves a levy, municipal treasurers use that figure to prepare tax bills for December. Hansen said the district will publish explanatory materials (a school-finance primer and a "how to read your tax bill" document) and recorded explainers to help taxpayers understand the mechanics.

Board members asked clarifying questions about outreach and why strong local property growth can reduce the district’s share of state aid. Hansen said the state funding formula prioritizes districts with lower property values per pupil, which can cause districts with relatively high property-value growth to receive less aid. He noted that local operational referendums statewide also affect the distribution of state aid.

Ending — The board will consider the final budget and levy at its Oct. 27 meeting; the district will publish resources to help taxpayers interpret the potential effect on individual bills.