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Milton School District approves $21.7 million tax levy after budget preview
Summary
The School District of Milton approved a $21,695,781 tax levy for 2025 after a financial presentation showing a projected general fund balance of $12.3 million and a $42.6 million outstanding debt balance tied to the 2019 capital referendum.
The School District of Milton approved a total tax levy of $21,695,781 for 2025 on a voice vote at its annual meeting June 30. The levy includes $16,111,300 for current operations, $5,146,100 for referendum-approved debt and $438,381 for community services.
Ross, who presented the district's financial report, told the meeting the district projects a general fund balance of $12,300,000 at year end, roughly the district's target range (20%–25% of operating budgets). He said that after payments in the last fiscal year the district's outstanding debt tied to the 2019 capital referendum stood at $42,615,000 as of June 30, 2025. Ross also outlined planned use of fund balances for capital maintenance and community-service projects and noted operational budgets are forecast to rise about 2.51% over 2024–25 levels while all-funds expenditures reflect one-time changes.
Ross summarized revenue sources and constraints under state rules, saying general fund revenue is split roughly 40% local tax levy and 60% general state aid and that final budget figures will depend on the October pupil count and Department of Revenue and Department of Public Instruction calculations. He said total general fund revenues are estimated to increase about 1.4% from last year's unaudited totals.
After the presentation, a motion to set the 2025 levy to the amounts above was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.
Votes at a glance - Elect meeting chairperson (nomination to appoint Ned Smith): motion carried. - Approve meeting agenda: motion carried. - Set 2025 tax levy ($21,695,781): motion carried. - Fix board member salaries ($2,000; president $2,500) and authorize actual necessary expenses: motion carried. - Set date/time for 2026 annual meeting: motion carried. - Adjourn: motion carried.
What's next District staff and the board will finalize the 2025–26 budget after the October pupil count and state aid/equalized value calculations are released; Ross said the board will revisit any debt-defeasance planning and related debt-service decisions in early 2026.
