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Treasurer reports big valuation gains; superintendent warns of state and federal budget pressures
Summary
Treasurer Jeff reported double-digit valuation increases across property classes that raised total district valuation roughly 26.5%, while Superintendent Dr. Fritz said he will provide regular legislative updates amid concerns about state and federal funding that could tighten the district27s five-year forecast.
Treasurer Jeff told the Oregon City Board of Education on Dec. 17 that updated values from the Lucas County Auditor show substantial year-over-year increases across property classes, which will affect the district27s revenue calculations.
Jeff reported agricultural/residential valuations rose 31.95%, commercial and industrial property rose 17.89%, public utility real property rose 11.03% and total real value increased 28.48%; overall district valuation increased 26.5%. He said personal property (public utility tangible) rose 9.5% and noted the district currently reports about 185 true cash days, down roughly three weeks from the previous year. Jeff characterized the situation as one in which effective millage rates roll back as valuations increase, meaning the district will collect the tax amount approved by voters but faces a current pattern of deficit spending despite healthy cash balances.
Superintendent Dr. Fritz thanked students and staff for recent activities and said he will begin providing more frequent legislative updates at board meetings starting in January. "There27s some things going on in in the state legislature. There's some things going on in in the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., that I'm concerned about," he said, adding that the district27s five-year forecast is an area of concern if state and federal contributions decline. He said the state budget process will unfold over the next seven months and the district will monitor and, where appropriate, seek to influence legislators to support Oregon City Schools.
Board members voted to accept the treasurer's report. The meeting record shows the board asked the treasurer to provide a breakdown of the exact percentage of farmland rental revenue that is designated for the Clay High School scholarship fund; the treasurer said he would provide that detail at a later date.
Next steps noted in the meeting include the treasurer providing the scholarship-percentage breakdown and the superintendent delivering legislative updates beginning in January.
