Wentzville R‑IV proposes lower tax rate as assessed value rises; board hears plan to prepay $17.6 million in bonds

Wentzville R‑IV School District staff presented a proposed total property tax levy of 4.536 for the 2025 fiscal year at a public tax rate hearing on Aug. 1, 2025, and explained how a reassessment-driven jump in assessed valuation will be limited by the Hancock Amendment’s CPI cap. Staff also described a plan to defease about $17.6 million in outstanding bonds, which it estimated would eliminate approximately $8.71 million in future interest payments.

The proposed total levy of 4.536 is composed of an operating levy (split among funds 1, 2 and 4) proposed at 3.32073, two temporary voter-approved levies — Prop 3 at 0.2132 (sunset 2031) and Prop E at 0.1851 (sunset 2035) — and a debt service levy of 0.9304. Dr. Tim Eller, a district staff member, told the board the district’s assessed valuation rose about 8.77% to roughly $3.7 billion and that new construction added just under $84 million in assessed value.

Wh…