Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Property Tax Levy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rochester board certifies 2025 property tax levy after Truth in Taxation hearing
Summary
After a Truth in Taxation presentation and two public commenters, the Rochester Public School District board approved certification of the 2025 property‑tax levy at its Dec. 17 meeting. The vote was by voice; the official certified levy is in the board packet.
The Rochester Public School District board certified its property‑tax levy for taxes payable in 2025 following a Truth in Taxation public meeting and a brief public comment period.
At the special‑session presentation required by statute, Finance Director Andy Krogstad briefed the board on district finances and levy mechanics and estimated the district’s tax levy collections (Krogstad said the levy is “planned to collect about $76,500,000”), noting property tax makes up roughly 20% of district revenue and that voter‑approved referenda added approximately $20,000,000 in new revenue tied to the recently approved operating referendum. Krogstad reviewed FY24 actuals, beginning balances for FY25 and how funds across general, community education and debt service funds are used.
During the required public‑hearing segment, resident Shelene Nelson urged the board to address access and programming for students with disabilities, citing months without gym or physical‑education time at one site. A second resident, who did not give a name during remarks, criticized continued tax increases, urged fiscal restraint and called for an office of accountability to monitor district spending.
Later in the evening, at the regular meeting, the board read a resolution to certify the levy for taxes payable in 2025 and approved it by voice vote after a motion and a second. The resolution text and the official, certified levy numbers are recorded in the board packet distributed for the meeting. Chair Nathan led the motion and the board voted in favor; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the public transcript.
The board also announced the formal certification will appear in the official meeting materials online. The administration had previously noted resources for taxpayers—information on property tax refund and deferment options—will be made available on the district website for residents with questions about individual impacts.
The board adjourned the special Truth in Taxation session at 6:23 p.m. and carried the levy certification forward as an action item during the regular meeting.
