Annandale school officials present $7.1 million levy for taxes payable in 2026; board reviews budget

Speaker 3 presented the district's Truth in Taxation materials and said the total levy for taxes payable in 2026 is $7,098,263. The presentation walked through state requirements, how the levy is a fixed amount under state formulas and voter referendums, and how changing property values affect individual taxpayers' shares of that levy.

Speaker 3 explained that the levy is allocated across tax-capacity and market-value categories and noted an exception for agricultural land and cabins, which do not pay taxes on market value. He illustrated how the county tax statement will show levies grouped as voter-approved and non–voter-approved items rather than by the state categories the district uses internally. "The total levy, for pay taxes payable in 2026 is $7,098,263," he said, and later added, "You can see that's an increase of 17.72%."

The presentation itemized the components: levy spread on net tax capacity of $3,800,000 for 2026 (down from $3,900,000 in 2025), levy spread on market value of $3,200,000 for 2026 (up from $2,000,000), and $1,400,000 in voter-approved levies approved in November. Using a $300,000 house as an example, Speaker 3 compared Annandale ($679 in 2025) to neighboring Saint Michael ($1,559 in 2025), noting differences reflect local voter-approved levies and debt from newer construction.

Speaker 3 also reviewed the district's preliminary budget (approved in June) and flagged a projected general-fund spend-down of $181,000; he said the board will update that budget next month to reflect current enrollment and revenue changes. He described the composition of fund balances and noted the district will continue to monitor enrollment and state aid changes that affect revenue.

The presentation closed with an invitation for public comment and questions required under Truth in Taxation rules. A public attendee asked about the robotics program and donor funds; Speaker 3 said donors had stepped in to preserve robotics, the coach departed earlier in the year, and staff and volunteers are transitioning the program from FIRST Robotics to VEX for next year and will ask donors whether contributions should follow the new program or be returned.

The board did not take a separate formal vote on the levy during the Truth in Taxation presentation in the transcripted portion; the presentation will inform forthcoming budget and levy actions on the regular agenda.