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Seaman USD 345 board approves notice of intent to exceed revenue-neutral rate with proposed mill levy of 51.966; hearing set for September
Summary
The board voted to submit a notice that the district may exceed the revenue-neutral tax rate and set a public hearing for September; the proposed mill levy included a small "wiggle" factor, which prompted discussion among members.
The Seaman USD 345 Board of Education approved a notice of intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate and authorized a proposed mill levy rate of 51.966 mills for budget-planning purposes, while emphasizing the district's goal of keeping the actual levy lower when final valuations are available.
The motion authorized staff to submit the proposed rate to the county clerk and set a hearing on the matter for September (the board recorded the hearing as scheduled for September 2025 at 5:50 p.m. at the district Education Center, 901 Northwest London Road, Topeka). Board members discussed the purpose of the proposed rate: budget planning requires a "worst-case" or wiggle factor so administration has room while final valuations and state budget numbers arrive; the board reiterated its stated intention to keep the actual levy as low as feasible when the final numbers are available.
During discussion several board members said they preferred keeping the rate conservative and stressed spending controls, while others supported letting administration retain a small planning margin to avoid mid-cycle budget shortfalls. Superintendent Brad Wilson and the district business director (Lisa) explained the process: the submitted proposed rate gives the county clerk numbers to mail to residents as part of the required notice and does not bind the board to the final levy, which the board will set at a later hearing once valuations are finalized. The board approved the notice and hearing by voice vote.
Why it matters: The proposed mill levy determines the ceiling used for budget planning and governs the tax notice residents receive; even a small change can affect taxpayers' notice materials and public comment at the required hearing.
What happens next: Administration will continue budget work and present the final recommended mill levy at the scheduled hearing in September for a formal vote.
