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Monticello School Board directs administration to prepare 'revoke-and-replace' operating levy resolution; vote 6-0
Summary
After months of budget committee discussion and presentations from financial advisors, the Monticello Public School District board voted unanimously to direct staff to prepare formal resolutions to revoke the current operating referendum and place a larger 'revoke-and-replace' referendum before voters.
The Monticello Public School District board on Monday voted 6-0 to direct district administration to prepare formal resolutions for a revoke-and-replace operating referendum to be brought to the June 2 board meeting, setting the district on a path toward asking voters for a larger operating levy.
Board members said the district needs a longer-term funding solution after forecasts showed that automatic renewal of the current levy would leave the district with thin fund balances and a likely statutory operating debt later this decade. "We either get started now to invest in our community, or we're going to have to pick up the ball much later and it's going to be much, much harder," said Board Member Mark Branson during discussion.
Why it matters: The board discussed two scenarios presented by Director of Business Services Tina Burkholder and financial advisors from Ehlers. Scenario 1 would renew the existing operating referendum and add a $2,000,000 capital projects levy; the district’s forecast under that approach projected a deteriorating unassigned fund balance after a few years. Scenario 2 — the motion the board adopted staff direction to prepare for — would revoke the existing referendum (approximately $725 per pupil) and replace it with a new operating referendum at $1,550 per pupil. Under consultant estimates, for a $365,000 house the combined tax change would be a net increase of about $316 annually (revoking the current levy removes about $278; the new levy adds about $594).
Financial context presented: Burkholder said the district still needs to align its budget by roughly $2.1 million for the 2026–27 school year even with a new referendum. The presentation noted a potential $6 million shortfall in a later year if no action is taken. Ehlers’ forecast showed the revoke-and-replace scenario would move the district closer to targeted reserve levels in the longer term (a projected unassigned fund balance of about 7.49% in the 2029–30 forecast year under current assumptions).
Board members and advisors emphasized timing and risk. An election this fall would generate revenue for the 2026–27 school year, while an election in 2026 would start generating revenue the following year. Ehlers’ representative noted the statutory deadline to call an election is Aug. 12; Burkholder and board members said they planned to return formal resolutions in June and to wait for legislative session outcomes in case of changes to election law.
The motion to direct administration to prepare the resolution was made by Board Member Jeff Hegley and seconded by Mark Branson. The board then took a roll-call vote: Casey Root — aye; Melissa Curtis — aye; Jeff Hegley — aye; Mark Branson — aye; Mary Bartel — aye; Amy Seben — aye. The motion passed 6-0.
Next steps: District staff will draft formal resolutions for the June 2 board meeting and work with outside advisors on election timing and public information. Board members said a portion of any additional levy revenue in the early years should be used to stabilize the budget for the near term while planning longer-term commitments.
