Sycamore board OKs resolution to place combined 6.95‑mill levy on Nov. 3 ballot; staff to circulate guidance on member communications

The Sycamore Community City school board voted to approve a resolution to place a combined expense and permanent improvement property tax levy on the Nov. 3 ballot, modeled at a maximum of 6.95 mills.

Staff explained the technical rationale for the "not to exceed" language: the county valuation used for collections will not be finalized until later in the year, so the district modeled a conservative valuation (staff cited a modeled 9% valuation assumption) and specified a mill cap in the resolution. District staff said the modeling used a split of roughly 5.0 mills for operating and 1.95 mills for permanent improvements in its internal forecast; the specific dollar amounts will vary with the auditor’s finalized valuation. "The breakout would change based on the valuation that's determined by the county," staff said during the discussion.

Board members asked for legal guidance on what they can say publicly about the levy; staff said they will provide specific guidelines in the coming week so members avoid any inadvertent violations of law. The board approved the resolution to proceed to the ballot during roll call.

The resolution authorizes the district to seek voter approval of a combined levy up to the stated cap; if voters approve the levy the approved millage will be applied as specified at the time of collection and thereafter reflected in the district’s revenue projections.