Central CUSD 301 hears finance presentation on final 2025 tax levy; staff projects drop in school portion of rate

The Central CUSD 301 board of education set aside time Thursday to discuss the district's final 2025 tax levy after a motion and second to open the item for discussion.

Dana, a district finance staff member, told the board the tax levy funds "roughly $60,000,000 of our revenues that are included in our budgets." She explained that levy receipts cover different fiscal periods and that the district must request maximums in each fund even though state law prevents collecting more than entitled. On the district's projections, she said the school portion of the tax rate is expected to drop "from $5.87 to $4.95," describing that as "almost almost a dollar" and noting this change depends on changes in property equalized assessed value.

Dana cautioned that the levy differs from the entire property tax bill, which also includes fire districts, libraries and other taxing bodies. She also noted that assumptions driving the projection include new construction and assessed-value estimates; she said those assumptions have not changed since the tentative levy.

Board members asked clarifying questions and completed a roll call on the levy matter during the meeting. No further changes to the projections were reported at the meeting; the board proceeded with agenda business following the discussion.

The board is expected to finalize levy-related paperwork and follow statutory timelines; no additional substantive adjustments were made during the public meeting.