Rock Ridge board certifies lower pay-2026 levy, citing debt reductions and state adjustments

The Rock Ridge Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to certify its pay-2026 property tax levy at $4,389,352.

Andrea, a district staff member who presented the Truth-in-Taxation report, told the board the district initially certified a maximum levy of $5,860,227 (a roughly 20% increase) at an earlier meeting while awaiting state and county adjustments. After manual corrections to a debt calculation tied to consolidation and the county auditor’s mailed notices, Andrea said the district’s pay-2026 levy revenue figure is $4,389,352 — an 8.9% decrease from the 2025 payable levy of $4,821,725.

The certified levy, Andrea said, accounts for about 8.3% of the district’s roughly $52 million in total projected 2025–26 revenue. She explained the levy affects several funds (listed in presentation materials as funds 1, 4, 7 and 47), noted reductions in long-term facilities maintenance and debt payments as buildings have aged down, and said taconite production credits reduce taxpayers’ direct obligation by replacing some property-tax revenue.

A board member asked what the change would mean per household; Andrea replied that individual impact depends on each property’s market value. Following brief discussion, Director Reardon moved to pass the levy as presented; Director Bonner seconded. The board conducted a roll-call vote and certified the levy unanimously.

What happens next: the county auditor will collect property taxes during calendar year 2026 (typically in May and October), and the revenue will be applied to the district’s 2026–27 budget cycle. The board indicated staff will continue to monitor taconite production levels and other factors that could affect future levies.

The certification vote was taken by roll call; Directors Rigg, Lottager, Kalperdahl, Yuhansi, Husky, Wiesby and Bonner voted yes. The motion passed unanimously.