City Schools of Decatur board members on June 10 announced a tentative millage rate increase, scheduled related hearings and, in executive session, approved staff actions to advance financing for the district’s proposed capital improvements.

Lede: the board tentatively adopted a proposed millage rate that would represent a 6.38% increase—raising the rate to 20.3 mills (an increase of roughly 1.217 mills). District staff said a $700,000 fair market value home would see an estimated tax increase of about $426 under the tentative rate and a non‑homestead property assessed at $900,000 would see about $548 increase. The board scheduled virtual public hearings on the proposed tax increase on June 12 (9 a.m. and 6:15 p.m.) and June 20 (6 p.m.), with a special called meeting planned for June 20 at 6:30 p.m. to vote on the millage.

Nut graf: in executive session the board approved a resolution authorizing staff, bond counsel and financial advisors to proceed with financing work, including using the City of Decatur PFA as a conduit if appropriate and refinancing existing certificates when economically beneficial. Staff told the board that PFA conduit bonds can be issued without a referendum while general obligation bond issuance would require a city‑run referendum per the city charter.

Finance details: CFO Dr. Lanita Broom summarized options: PFA conduit bonds (district repays via intergovernmental contract), G.O. bonds (referendum required), certificates of participation (higher cost), NMTC and philanthropic funding as partial offsets. She presented estimated repayment impacts: about $2.6M annually for a 20‑year payback at 4% or $2.1M annually for a 30‑year payback at 4.25%, with interest rates subject to market change. Broom also noted historically the district averages $7M in slot proceeds but recent performance has underperformed and that slot proceeds and capital outlay reimbursements could offset debt service; operating costs for the proposed projects would be paid from the general fund.

Executive session outcome: the board approved the executive session items on the record, including authorizing staff (Superintendent, bond counsel, financial advisors and district counsel) to proceed with financing due diligence and to consider refinancing certificates from a 2014 project if economically appropriate—actions recorded as carried unanimously.

Public process: staff said multiple virtual hearings will provide the public opportunities to comment on the proposed tax increase; the board will vote at the special called session on June 20 after the hearings.

Ending: board members said they will publish details and hold hearings before final action; staff will return with financing scenarios and price options as part of the August presentation and planning timeline.