Orono board certifies $23.53 million property tax levy for 2025 after Truth in Taxation hearing

The Orono Public School District board on Monday certified a property tax levy of $23,530,674 for taxes payable in 2025 following a Truth in Taxation presentation and a public hearing at which no members of the public spoke.

Director of business services Nick Tainter told the board the administration recommends reducing the September preliminary maximum levy by $291,000. "After further review, administration is recommending a decrease of $291,000 to the proposed levy for a total of $23,530,000, or a 5.62% increase from 2024," Tainter said during the presentation.

Board Chair Mike Bash urged colleagues to support the certification, arguing the levy helps preserve the district's investment in programming and reputation. "One of the most important things about being fiscally conservative is maintaining the asset, the investment that you have today," Bash said during earlier discussion of the operating levy extension.

The presentation reviewed why the district relies on local levies: general education aid has not kept pace with inflation, special-education costs have increased, and approximately 15% of the district's general fund revenues are funded by the operating referendum. Tainter noted the district recognizes taxes collected in calendar year 2025 as revenue in fiscal year 2026 because the district's fiscal year runs July 1'June 30.

Board members thanked staff for work to trim the levy below the earlier maximum. No public testimony was offered during either the operating-levy public hearing earlier in the meeting or the Truth in Taxation hearing at 7 p.m. After a motion to certify the levy and a roll-call vote, the board recorded the motion as carried.

The board will certify the final levy to the Hennepin County auditor as required by state law; county tax statements will reflect the district amounts on the property tax statements mailed by the county.

The superintendent and business office said the levy funds a range of district operations including instructional programs, special education services and technology and capital levies previously approved by voters.

Next steps: the board will include the certified levy in the county's tax-collection process and continue budget work in the coming months.