Elk River School Board approves preliminary 2025 levy for taxes payable in 2026

The Elk River School District board voted Sept. 22 to approve the preliminary 2025 levy for taxes payable in 2026 as presented, a step that sets the maximum local property-tax authority the district may use when staff prepare the final 2026 levy in December.

District leadership said the preliminary levy figures will feed into the district’s budget for the next fiscal year. Jerry Anderson, the district superintendent, and staff presented the levy breakdown and answered board questions before the voice vote. The motion carried by voice; the transcript does not give a roll-call tally.

Why it matters: Approving a preliminary levy at the maximum preserves local revenue the district can collect next year but also affects the district’s state equalization aid, which the board discussed. Board members said reducing the local levy below the maximum would likely reduce matching state aid, producing a larger net loss of district resources than the local reduction in taxes.

During the presentation, district staff described how different levy components move in opposite directions: the general fund levy was shown increasing modestly while some levy portions — including community service and OPEB — were shown declining. Staff cited these component changes with example percentages: general fund up 1.3%; community service down about 3%; debt service up about 9.55%; and OPEB down about 9.51%. The district also described adjustments built into the levy (a 5% cushion tied to a 105% levy practice) designed to protect bond payments if some taxpayers do not pay.

“I want to remind you guys that a referendum is tied to our consumer price index,” the superintendent said while explaining how referendum and inflation interact with per‑pupil revenue. Jerry Anderson added, “We are committed to making sure that we don't raise taxes unnecessarily,” and said the board will revisit details during the budget process.

One board member, who did not give a name on the record in the meeting transcript, said they would “vote yes tonight, but reluctantly,” and urged a later review of spending and program efficiencies as the district moves into formal budget hearings.

Board members were told the preliminary levy is a first step: the district will produce final levy certification in December and a separate Truth in Taxation process will provide additional public detail before final adoption. The board noted administrative dates of interest, including a regular meeting scheduled Oct. 13 and the district’s planning for teacher convention and related calendar items.

The preliminary levy motion was made and seconded as recorded on the meeting audio; the motion passed by voice vote with the chair calling the question. The transcript does not record a named mover, seconder, or a numerical vote tally.

The board’s approval preserves the district’s maximum levy authority as staff prepare the final levy numbers later in the year; board members asked staff to continue reviewing spending and to present more detailed budget trade-offs ahead of final certification.