Viroqua board votes to seek voter approval to exceed revenue limit by $1.3M for two years

The Viroqua Area School District board on the night authorized the district to seek voter approval to exceed the state revenue limit by $1,300,000 per year for two years to pay for nonrecurring projects, and approved a companion resolution providing for a referendum election.

Committee member (mover) introduced the resolution to authorize exceeding the revenue limit; after brief discussion about the purpose and the need to solicit community feedback the board carried the motion by voice vote. District administration said the intent of the measure is to give the community an opportunity to respond at the ballot box rather than to immediately raise taxes or create an ongoing levy. “That’s what you’re voting on,” the district administrator said, describing the referendum as a community decision point.

Board members discussed voter education and outreach; administrators said the district is working with the Donovan Group on a communications plan to explain why staff recommend asking the question and what options voters will see on April 1. The board did not specify in‑meeting dollar allocations tied to the authorization beyond the stated “nonrecurring purposes.”

Votes at a glance: • Resolution authorizing the district budget to exceed the revenue limit by $1,300,000 per year for two years for nonrecurring purposes — motion carried (voice vote). • Resolution providing for a referendum election on that question — motion carried (voice vote).

What happens next: The board approved the referendum resolution and directed staff to proceed with voter outreach and communications. The referendum gives voters the final decision on whether the district may exceed the state revenue limit for the stated period.