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Wentzville R‑IV adopts FY26 budget; projects lower tax levy amid reassessment and plans $29M capital drawdown
Summary
The board adopted the fiscal year 2025‑26 budget, projecting a lower tax rate tied to reassessment, planned capital spending of roughly $29 million, increased bus purchases and a 5% average salary increase included in operating costs.
WENTZVILLE, Mo. — The Wentzville R‑IV School District board adopted its FY2025‑26 budget June 18, a statutory action that gives the district authority to spend beginning July 1. Finance staff presented revenue and expense projections and outlined planned capital and operating expenditures.
Why it matters: The budget guides spending for instruction, operations and capital projects for the coming year. The district projected revenue growth tied to property reassessment, included negotiated salary increases, and planned to draw down the capital projects fund for major summer work.
Key figures presented by district finance staff include a projected combined funds balance just under $70 million at June 30, 2025; a projected capital fund (Fund 4) balance of roughly $58 million at year‑end with a planned drawdown of about $29 million for FY26 capital projects (leaving an estimated year‑end balance near $28 million). Staff noted planned bus purchases of approximately $2.8 million for FY26 and reported $44 million in bus purchases in the prior year. The district also budgeted roughly $2 million in contingency for new positions to address enrollment and staffing needs.
On revenue, staff said preliminary reassessment data showed about a 10% increase in assessed valuation and projected tax collections would increase by about $9.6 million; based on that estimate the district projected a tax rate near $4.50 — the lowest since 2009. Staff also estimated a state foundation formula increase, but used a conservative figure of roughly $6.9 million in the FY26 budget rather than the full state appropriation figure being considered by the legislature. Staff noted an estimated $1 million potential revenue reduction tied to Senate Bill 190 (senior property tax freeze), saying the true impact will be known when tax collections are reported.
Operating expense highlights included a 5% average salary increase for certified and noncertified staff (already on the board agenda), benefit cost increases tied to the district’s transition to self‑funded health insurance, and continued priority spending on facilities projects such as HVAC replacements and the completion of the REACH early childhood center. Finance staff said long‑term forecasts show operating income remaining favorable in FY27–FY29 and that debt service balances are projected to allow defeasance or new debt depending on board decisions.
The budget was adopted by motion and voice vote; staff indicated the plan will be refined once final reassessment and tax collection numbers are available.
