Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Property Tax Levy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Prior Lake‑Savage Board approves $35.66 million levy for taxes payable in 2026
Summary
After a Truth in Taxation presentation, the Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools board unanimously certified a $35,661,197.94 levy for taxes payable in 2026, describing the district's revenue mix, per‑pupil funding gap, and homeowner impacts while promising further budget work in January.
The Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools Board of Education voted unanimously on Dec. 8 to certify the district’s 2025 levy for taxes payable in 2026 at $35,661,197.94.
Director of business services Director Ryder presented the required Truth in Taxation report before the vote, outlining how nearly 80% of district revenue comes from state sources, roughly 14.9% from local property taxes, and the balance from federal and other local revenues. He highlighted a long‑running funding gap: “the gap that you see right now of $1,004.53 per pupil,” which the district says reduces its ability to keep general education support, salaries and benefits, and nonrestricted programming in step with inflation.
Why it matters: The certified levy sets the maximum amount the county will collect on the district’s behalf for calendar year 2026 and underpins the 2026–27 school budget. Staff showed a sample taxpayer impact: on a $500,000 home the district portion of property taxes is estimated at about $16.74 in pay 2026. The presentation also broke the levy into categories the board can control (general and board‑approved referendum portions), voter‑approved items (bonds and capital projects) and debt service.
What the board did: Director France moved to approve the certification; Director Olstad seconded. The motion passed on a roll call with all members voting yes. The board packet and staff presentation identified two scenarios for how transfers and capital/leverage adjustments might be handled in the revised budget, and staff said the certified levy reflects the district’s September estimates and state calculations used to prepare the MDE levy form.
Board reaction and next steps: Several board members used the Truth in Taxation presentation as a transition into a longer discussion about the revised 2025–26 budget and the district’s unassigned fund balance (a separate agenda item). Director Ryder told the board staff will return in January with options tied to the revised budget and additional detail on assumptions used in the levy calculation. No changes to the certified levy were made at the meeting.
Formal outcome: Levy certification approved; amount to be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education and county tax authorities for taxes payable in 2026.
