Pendleton County Board of Education sets 2025-26 tax rates, adds 0.2-cent levy under KRS 134.590

The Pendleton County Board of Education voted Aug. 18 to set the school district's tax rates for 2025-26 and to add a 0.2-cent levy to recover prior-year losses from property tax exonerations. Superintendent Buerkley's recommendation was adopted, with Mrs. Laura Schack moving approval and Mr. Derek Brown seconding. The vote was unanimous: Ms. Cheri Griffin — Yes; Mrs. Laura Schack — Yes; Mr. Kevin Barnard — Yes; Mrs. Amber Beebe — Yes; Mr. Derek Brown — Yes. The board approved the following rates for the 2025-26 school year: Real Property — 61.0 cents; Tangible Personal Property — 63.3 cents; Motor Vehicle — 55.0 cents; Aircraft — 63.3 cents. The board also approved adding 0.2 cents to the above property rates to recover prior-year losses due to exonerations under KRS 134.590. Why it matters: setting the tax rate establishes the local property tax levy that helps fund district operations for the coming school year. The added 0.2-cent adjustment was described in the motion as a one-time recovery tied to state statute KRS 134.590 related to exonerations. There was no separate recorded discussion in the meeting minutes; the action was taken as a formal motion and vote. The district will apply the approved rates in tax billing for the 2025-26 fiscal year.