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Board discusses timing and scope of supplemental levy to cover rising operational costs
Summary
District leaders recommended considering a supplemental levy for November to replace expiring voter-approved levies, citing increased utility, transportation and staffing costs and the need to set a ballot question by September if pursuing a November election.
The Middleton School District board discussed whether to place a supplemental levy on the ballot to cover rising operating costs, with staff recommending a November election and directing the finance team to prepare a proposal for the August meeting.
Why it matters: a supplemental levy funds operating expenses that the state does not cover (utilities, busing, staffing) and affects local taxpayers; the district must set a ballot measure by September to appear on a November ballot.
Staff said the last supplemental levy ran in February 2023 and the district relies on periodic levies for some operating needs. Increasing utility and transportation costs were identified as likely drivers for any supplemental request: utility costs have risen while state funding has not increased to cover those higher operating expenses; transportation can incur additional route and driver costs when routes expand or when ridership peaks create capacity problems. Staff recommended the November ballot so the district could adjust strategies before the next budgeting cycle if a levy failed. The board asked staff to work with financial advisers to model tax impacts and to bring a recommended levy amount and explanatory materials to the August meeting so the board could decide by September if the question should go on the November ballot.
