Board voices concerns about joint city‑county‑school task force on mill levy reduction; no action taken

The Emporia Board of Education discussed a city‑proposed joint task force that would include city, county and school representatives to study potential mill levy reductions and offsetting revenue options such as a sales tax. Board members raised concerns about the task force’s scope, timing and potential consequences for the district’s budget and for low‑income residents.

District representatives said the city invited the school district to participate. Board members questioned what the task force could actually achieve because the school board retains sole authority to set the district’s mill levy. Several trustees said the city appears primarily interested in reducing the mill levy used to fund the Recreation Commission and offsetting that revenue with a sales tax, and they doubted whether a joint task force could produce a workable, consensus recommendation.

Board members also raised timing concerns: state lawmakers are considering school finance and property tax changes that could affect mills later in the year, making a local study premature. A member noted that shifting from property tax to sales tax could place a larger burden on low‑income families who spend a larger share of income on taxable purchases.

Some trustees said they were open to attending meetings and providing input but were not comfortable endorsing the proposed task force as written. The item was a reading; the board did not adopt formal participation or a joint recommendation at the June meeting and asked staff to continue gathering information and legal guidance ahead of a July reading.