Board approves ballot language to continue incremental plant facilities levy increases

The Teton School District board approved ballot language enabling a plant facilities levy approach that would allow the district to increase the levy in $20,000 increments year to year, a method district staff said smooths increases for taxpayers while helping the district keep up with maintenance costs.

Board members said the change was prompted by higher inflation and by state changes in ballot reporting requirements that require more precise wording. Diane, the district finance staff member, and the district's legal and audit advisors worked on language the board considered acceptable under the new reporting rules. Kathleen and other board members said the $20,000 incremental approach has been used historically (the board began around $400,000 and previously moved the levy by $20,000 increments) and argued it spreads the cost rather than imposing a single large increase.

Staff noted two additional points: state school modernization funds exist but are earmarked for large capital projects and cannot replace day-to-day plant maintenance, and in recent years the district has spent roughly $600,000$700,000 annually on plant maintenance, more than the district's previous plant facilities levy level. Board members asked for a clear public communications plan; the board's new communications director, Sarah, was identified as a resource to explain the measure to voters before the election.

The board approved the ballot wording on a voice vote and authorized staff to proceed with the election timeline and communications preparations.