Winona school officials present levy and 2026 budget; levy projection up 4.73%
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Summary
Director Slavi told the board the district’s total levy is projected to increase about $597,000 (4.73%), driven by adjustments for LTFM and building-lease changes; the 2026 general fund budget shows a $913,000 projected expenditure excess and a $43.5 million revenue estimate.
Director Slavi delivered the Truth-in-Taxation presentation and described the timeline for final levy certification, noting that the board will be asked to certify the levy at its Dec. 18 meeting. She said there are four documents attached to the agenda, including a 39‑page levy certification and a one‑page comparison she prepares each year.
Slavi said the general fund levy is proposed to be about $859,000 (10.74%) higher than the prior year and that one of the largest increases — about $707,000 — is an LTFM adjustment tied to higher costs for the high‑school boiler project. She also cited a roughly $175,000 swing on the building and land-lease line, driven by a prior negative adjustment related to a repaid ALC capital lease. “The total levy for all of the funds that are included is projected to go up above $597,000 or 4.73%,” Slavi said. She thanked voters for $4.1 million in voter‑approved levies that the district relies on.
On the budget, Slavi said general fund revenue is just over $43.5 million and the proposed general fund expenditure budget is a little over $44.4 million. She reported a projected 2026 general‑fund expenditure excess of $913,000 (all reserved and unreserved funds included), an expected unreserved fund‑balance increase of about $424,000, and a reserved fund spend‑down of about $1.3 million largely tied to long‑term facility maintenance (LTFM) and operating capital. School nutrition ended the 2025 fiscal year with a fund balance of just over $820,000 (about 38%); after the planned spend‑down it is projected to be about $714,000 (36%).
Slavi also reviewed debt funds and OPEB, saying the OPEB trust shows a spend‑down of about $298,000 and noting that the last OPEB debt payment is scheduled for February 2029. She reminded the board that levy revenue levels are set by the state legislature and that the district must follow the statutory levy and reporting process. Slavi said that if there is any public input following the hearing the board would hear it, but no public commenters were present that night.
Next steps: the board will be asked to certify the final levy on Dec. 18; after certification, the district will file required reports with the county and the Department of Revenue.
