Crete Public Schools adopts 2025–26 budget, passes precautionary 6% base-growth resolution; proposed levy up about 6¢

The Crete Public Schools Board of Education on Sept. 10 approved the district's 2025–26 budget and passed Resolution 25-01, which authorizes the district to increase its property-tax request authority by up to 6% above the base growth percentage as allowed under Nebraska law.

Chief Financial Officer Ryan Hynes told the board the district faced a $1,470,000 (about 12%) decline in state equalization aid and had previously budgeted roughly $1,100,000 for compensation increases. To help offset those pressures, the district proposed a levy increase of about 6¢ that would raise roughly $3,150,000 in additional revenue, Hynes said. He said a typical homeowner would see an estimated increase of about $8–$11 per month after the state's property-tax credit is applied.

Hynes summarized the numbers presented to the board: total disbursements and transfers in the proposed budget are just over $48 million; taxing funds total roughly $44–45 million; and the district's property-tax request would be about $19.4…