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Lindberg budget team warns of a tight 2026–27 outlook and potential state-policy revenue losses
Summary
Finance staff described conservative revenue assumptions for 2026–27, flagged legislation in Jefferson City that could lower the state minimum levy and cut local revenue by an estimated $1.5–$2 million, and outlined staffing adjustments and debt-management moves to protect operating funds.
Finance staff warned the board that the district faces a tight fiscal picture for 2026–27 and described the steps the district is taking to balance the budget under conservative revenue assumptions.
Assumptions and fiscal goals: staff reiterated that the budget process will follow the spring workshop, a June adoption and amendments as needed. The primary goals are a balanced budget, fiscal responsibility, competitive wages and benefits, reasonable class sizes and strategic use of reserves. Staff cautioned assumptions are preliminary and will change with legislative outcomes and final assessment values.
Revenue outlook: the finance presentation emphasized reliance on CPI and reassessment cycles to set local revenue growth, and staff said they are modeling a conservative 1% AV growth for a non-reassessment year. Staff noted new construction/personal property remains a small source of new revenue.
State legislative risks and levy proposals: board members and staff discussed pending proposals in Jefferson City that would lower the state minimum levy (from 275 to 220 in one proposal) and related tax legislation. Staff estimated a $1.5–$2 million revenue impact in year one if the levy-change proposal is enacted. One board member framed the current budget as "as tight as we could get it," citing reduced Prop C revenue and state funding uncertainty.
Expenditure-side responses: staff described enrollment-driven reductions (the district currently could reduce three elementary teaching positions via non-replacement based on current enrollment), repurposing a central STEM coordinator to a Farmers Club instructor (revenue-neutral in staff planning), and targeted additions for ELL and counseling tied to enrollment increases. Staff also detailed an approach to use bond/Prop funds to retire certificates of participation (COPs) and free roughly $900,000 of operating dollars.
Next steps: finance staff will return with updates as legislative activity and fall reassessment data arrive; staff planned a July deep-dive on benefits and insurance and will bring formal recommendations for the October board meeting where committee decisions are expected.
The board took no budget vote at the workshop; members asked for continued communications with state legislators and additional briefings as needed.
