Board hears tentative levy presentation; district to request $24.48 million

The board received a presentation on the district’s tentative property tax levy and a short financial update.

Finance presenter Neil explained that the levy is a request that the county then uses to compute the tax rate, and that under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law the district cannot increase its extension by more than 5% or CPI, whichever is less. He said the district’s worksheet shows a levy request including bond and interest (debt service) of $24,477,547 and that the request represents roughly a 4.7% increase over last year’s levy request.

Neil outlined the major levy funds (education, operations & maintenance, transportation and tort), said transportation and maintenance levies rose because of cost increases, and added the district plans to use evidence‑based funding to offset some education fund needs. He also presented hypothetical bill impacts for four home values ($150,000–$300,000), showing estimated tax bill increases ranging about $82 to $164 depending on home value and the final extension.

The presenter cautioned that the county clerk will compute the final extension based on equalized assessed value and new property, and that the district often requests a slightly higher levy so that available money is not lost if estimates change. The board was told the final levy ordinance will be presented in December for approval.