Shakopee board adopts $50.9 million levy after Truth‑in‑Taxation presentation

Shakopee Public Schools on Monday adopted its payable‑2026 tax levy, approving a total levy of $50,918,402.61 that the finance director said reflects referendum revenue and enrollment adjustments.

David Drazovich, the district’s director of finance and operations, told the board the general fund levy showed a $9,500,000 increase over the prior fiscal year, in part because “questions 1 and 2” passed and increased the district’s operating referendum revenue. He described several other drivers, including prior‑year pupil adjustments and changes in debt service that lower levy needs for debt retirement.

The board approved the levy by roll‑call vote. The adopted levy breaks down as follows: General Fund $37,479,488.38; Community Service Fund $619,195.53; Debt Service $12,819,708.18; Total $50,918,402.61.

Drazovich walked the board through pay‑25 vs. pay‑26 comparisons and estimated residential impacts, saying a $381,000 house would see a net change of about $114 next year under the district’s calculations. He also reviewed budgeted totals: the presentation cited a proposed total all‑fund budget near $174 million and a general‑fund preliminary budget of $132,254,155.

Board members asked clarifying questions about levy distribution, the effect of increased operating referendum revenues on state equalization aid, and the timing of student‑count adjustments. Drazovich explained that some state aid equalization decreases when operating referendum revenue rises and that certain enrollment adjustments are recognized with a two‑year lag.

The board’s formal adoption came late in the meeting; according to the minutes, the motion to adopt the levy passed on a recorded roll call with board members voting in the affirmative.

What happens next: the levy will be certified to county tax authorities per Minnesota statute and reflected on property tax statements for payable 2026.