Faribault board certifies 2025 levy (payable 2026), records small overall decrease

The Faribault Public Schools board held its Truth in Taxation hearing on Dec. 1 and voted to certify the 2025 property tax levy, payable in 2026.

Finance director Miss Raesler presented the district’s budget context and levy recommendations. She explained the statutory process — the district adopts a proposed levy in September and finalizes the dollar amount in December — and reviewed district totals: FY25 actual revenues of about $79,924,073 and a projected FY26 revenue of $80,308,228 (a 0.48% increase). Raesler said the state provides roughly 78% of district revenue, local property tax provides about 15%, federal sources about 4%, and local fees about 3%.

Raesler said state formula funding trails inflation by roughly $1,470 per pupil (about 19.7% behind), with the district’s per-pupil formula allowance at $7,481. She told the board the district proposes a combined Pay 2026 property tax levy of $12,064,410.59 — a decrease of $273,662 (2.22%) compared with the prior year — and recommended board approval.

Two public commenters addressed the hearing. Tom Malin (signed up on the agenda as Tom Moline) said rising property values and broader state fiscal pressures will strain fixed-income residents and urged the district and community to plan conservatively. Janet Moline said her property tax rose 16.1% overall and asked the district to itemize payments made to the Chamber of Commerce for FY23–24 and year-to-date FY25 and to explain the Chamber’s role in any public pre-K daycare partnerships.

Board discussion acknowledged the limited control the district has over total property tax bills, noting school districts are one of three taxing authorities and that county and city valuations also drive taxpayers’ total bills. Director Moore said she was conflicted: she welcomed the reduction but felt it was not large enough to ease constituents’ burdens and announced she would abstain. The board motion to certify the levy carried; the chair recorded “6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention,” and stated that under board practice the motion carries as passed (clarifying the abstention did not block final certification).

Raesler also reviewed fund-level changes: small decreases across general fund categories, an increase of $120,225 (5.88%) in debt service totals (noting long-term work on HVAC projects), and a 6.47% increase in community service fund aid tied to legislative action.

The board moved on to other agenda items after the certification vote.