Sartell‑St. Stephen board hears Truth‑in‑Taxation presentation, approves 2024 (payable 2025) levy

The Sartell‑St. Stephen School Board approved the district's 2024 property tax levy payable in 2025 after a Truth in Taxation presentation from Joe Prow, the district's director of finance. The board voted to adopt the levy at its December meeting following the required public hearing.

Prow told the board the district's total levy by fund for the year is $14,672,000, compared with $13,478,417 in the previous year — a difference of about $1,193,583 (roughly 4.48 percent). He said state equalization aid decreased by about $349,000 this year, shifting a larger share of revenue to the local levy. The presentation listed increases and decreases across levy categories: an increase of about $523,000 in the general fund levy (operating referendum), about $184,000 for career and technical levies, and a change in the district's lease levy tied to potential future lease payments…