Board certifies $5.52 million levy for 2025 payable in 2026

The board held the required Truth in Taxation presentation and certified a proposed levy for 2025 payable in 2026 at $5,515,960.

Heidi, the district finance/business staff member presenting the material, explained how Minnesota funding mixes state aid and local levy revenue, noting the district receives roughly 81% of general fund revenue from state aid and about 12% from the local levy. She described fund accounting, components of the levy (operating, long-term facilities maintenance, community service, debt service) and the timeline for appeals and how valuations affect tax distribution. Heidi said the district’s proposed levy is unchanged from the preliminary levy approved in September and that the proposed levy represents a reduction in local levy revenue of about $305,000 (roughly 5.24%), primarily because of declines in certain operating referendum revenues tied to enrollment. She presented examples showing a residential homeowner with a $225,000 property would see an estimated school-district portion of about $542 under current examples and that the proposed levy would reduce local levy collections in the district.

After the presentation, Sharon introduced a resolution to certify the levy at $5,515,960; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call with unanimous 'Yes' votes recorded. The presenter noted that a decrease in local levy receipts does not necessarily mean the district’s total revenue falls by the same amount because state aid formulas and valuation changes can offset levy changes.