Stillwater Area Public Schools says levy nearly unchanged; general fund levy falls $1.72 million
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Summary
At a Truth-in-Taxation hearing, district staff outlined a largely finalized levy and budget: total levy revenue is about $46.5 million, the general fund levy is projected to fall by about $1.718 million, and final levy certification is scheduled for Dec. 16.
STILLWATER, Minn. — District staff presented the district’s Truth-in-Taxation information and budget updates at the board’s study session, saying the proposed levy is close to final and that the district will certify final levy amounts Dec. 16.
Marie, a district presenter, told the board the district’s levy revenue for the current year is about $46.5 million and that the levy and budget reflect a mix of state, federal and local funding, including voter-approved operating and technology levies. “This evening… the presentation is to provide you information on our levy, but also give information on our budget,” Marie said.
The presentation showed a net decrease of about $3.3 million between projection years and an overall decline in the general fund levy of roughly $1,718,000. Marie also said the district’s overall change across all funds is about +0.64% from the prior year. She noted state aid rose roughly 2.74% in the basic formula but some categorical aids decreased, and that the district used one-time federal carryover funds last year that are not available this year.
Expenditure highlights included an approximately $930,000 increase in district support services tied to technology-levy investments; a lower special-education expenditure line this year after higher spending last year; and instructional-support reductions of about $1,000,000 following a priority-based budgeting review. Transportation and operations figures were discussed: the transportation budget shown in the presentation was $13,200,000, and operations and maintenance about $19,000,000.
Officials also noted capital activity: the building construction fund includes roughly $80.5 million tied to a second iteration of school-building bonds and facility-maintenance bonds, and the debt-service fund will reflect interest-only payments in the bonds’ first year.
The presentation used examples provided by Ehlers, the district’s financial advisor, to show the estimated property-tax impact for sample homestead values; staff emphasized that county-assessed property values and other factors can change a homeowner’s tax bill even where the district’s levy is stable.
The board complied with the statutory public hearing requirement but received no public speakers; the hearing concluded and the board scheduled the final levy certification for Dec. 16. The board then continued into its regular study session.
