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Board hears truth‑in‑taxation report as proposed levy rises about 5.8%
Summary
District finance staff presented the preliminary 2024 payable 2025 levy and budget, reporting a proposed levy of $66,000,139 (an increase of about $3.6 million, ≈5.83%) and outlining how state aid, referendum levies and property values affect local taxes.
Marie, a district staff member presenting the truth‑in‑taxation report, told the Stillwater Area Public Schools board the district’s proposed levy for taxes payable in 2025 totals $66,000,139 and represents an increase of roughly $3.6 million, or about 5.83%.
She said state aid remains the largest single revenue source for the district and described the revenue mix for the preliminary budget: state aid between about 56% and 65% of revenue by different measures, levy revenue roughly 29–34%, and federal funding around 3%. On the expenditure side, Marie said salaries are about 37% of the budget and benefits about 17%.
Marie presented illustrative tax estimates prepared by the district’s municipal advisors, Ehlers, showing a $500,000 home’s school property tax estimate rising from about $18.08 in 2024 to about $19.18 in 2025 and noting preliminary estimates for commercial and apartment properties. She also explained a recent change to the homestead market value exclusion enacted in the 2023 legislative session that affects taxes payable in 2025 and provides larger relief for properties in certain value ranges.
Board members asked how changes in total property value within the district affect individual taxes; Marie explained that as the district’s net tax capacity grows with more property, the levy burden is spread across more taxpayers. She also confirmed commercial property is included in net tax capacity and said transportation cost reductions reflected priority‑based budgeting and planned route changes.
Marie closed by showing a district comparison chart and reminding the board that the presented amounts were preliminary and based on the county tax notices and state levy limitation reports. The board did not receive public comment during the hearing and proceeded with the meeting’s agenda.
What’s next: the levy presented is preliminary; the board will act on final levy certification in accordance with state timelines before taxes are certified.
