Monticello board approves $17.44 million levy for 2026–27 budget
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Summary
The Monticello Public School District board on Dec. 15 approved a final levy of $17,439,463.33 for the 2026–27 budget, a roughly $3 million (21.15%) increase tied to a voter-approved referendum; the board voted 4–0 to adopt the levy after a presentation on fund balances and property tax mechanics.
The Monticello Public School District board voted 4–0 on Dec. 15 to approve a final property tax levy of $17,439,463.33 for the 2026–27 fiscal year, following a Truth in Taxation presentation by Tina Burkholder, director of business services.
Burkholder told the board the levy vote tonight is part of the district’s budget cycle (fiscal year July 1–June 30) and follows the public Truth in Taxation hearing held Dec. 1. She said the district’s general fund is heavily supported by state aid (about 74–77 percent, depending on projections) and that personnel costs drive about 80 percent of expenses. “Our overall levy is increasing 3,000,000 or 21.15%,” Burkholder said while reviewing how the successful voter-approved referendum changed the district’s levy picture.
The presentation included audited figures and one-time items. Burkholder noted the district recorded insurance proceeds related to a hail claim (about $6.2 million) that materially affected last year’s net change in fund balance; without that one-time receipt, the district would have shown a roughly $1 million decrease in fund balance. She said the unassigned fund balance stood at approximately $4.7 million, inside the district’s policy target range of 8–16 percent of general fund expenditures.
Board members asked about options to reduce future levy pressure. Burkholder recommended the budget committee request an actuarial projection to evaluate whether some sunset retiree costs could be shifted to the OPEB trust; she said the district’s OPEB trust balance is currently just under $1 million and cautioned that any use of the trust must avoid depleting resources needed for retiree health obligations.
The board approved the levy amount by voice/recorded vote after discussion. Burkholder said taxpayers’ bills will still vary on individual impact because assessments, property classifications and other local levies determine each parcel’s share. She also offered that the district will publish additional tax-impact examples and noted residents can consult property valuation and refund or deferral information with tax professionals.
What’s next: The levy approved tonight will be reflected in tax statements mailed in the normal cycle for payable 2026; the district will continue to finalize spring budget assumptions and present detailed budget work in the coming months.
