School board sets tax-discount deadline to Sept. 30 after county delay

The Blackhawk School Board voted on July 18 to amend a previously approved consent item and set the 2024 school tax-discount due date to Sept. 30, 2024, after the county assessment office notified the district that real-estate tax bills were mailed late.

Board member (Finance) moved the amendment to item 7.6 to specifically set the discount deadline to 09/30/2024; the amendment was seconded and taken by roll call. Clerk (S1) read each name during the vote; each member replied “Yes,” and the motion passed.

The change followed statements earlier in the meeting from Board member (Finance) noting that Chippewa-area real-estate tax bills “did not go out on time” and that the tax office requested an extension “to push back the school discount submission to September.” The board discussed whether a formal date had been listed on the agenda and decided to adopt Sept. 30 to align with the county assessment office’s request.

Why it matters: the extension affects when taxpayers must pay to receive a school-discount rate on 2024 property taxes. The board framed the action as an administrative response to a county mailing delay rather than a policy change.

How the vote was taken: after discussion and an amendment, the board took a roll-call vote. Clerk (S1) asked for each member’s voice; the roll call in the transcript records affirmative responses for all members present and the amended motion carried.

Next steps: the district will implement the amended date on relevant billing and notice materials and work with the county assessment office to ensure the discount deadline is clearly communicated to taxpayers. The board noted no further action was required at the meeting.

Representative quotes from the meeting include Board member (Finance): “our … tax real estate tax bills for Chippewa did not go out on time,” and Chair (S5) describing the county’s request for an extension.