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L'Anse Creuse board previews $152M budget, approves tax-rate request ahead of August millage election
Summary
At a June 22 meeting the board opened its Truth‑in‑Taxation hearing, reviewed a $152 million 2026‑27 original budget that assumes a $250 per‑pupil state allocation and a projected $1.7 million shortfall, and approved Form L‑4029 to seek restoration of the non‑homestead operating millage in the August election.
The L'Anse Creuse Public Schools Board of Education on June 22 opened its Truth‑in‑Taxation hearing, reviewed the district's original 2026‑27 budgets and approved the tax‑rate request the board will place before voters in August.
District staff told the board the general fund budget for 2026‑27 projects roughly $152 million in expenditures and is built on assumptions for state aid that remain unresolved until the legislature acts. The presentation used a $250 per‑pupil placeholder in state aid and an estimated enrollment decline of about 175 students; under those assumptions the district projects about a $1.7 million operating shortfall for 2026‑27.
"We don't have a crystal ball," the presenter said, noting the state has not finalized the foundation allowance or pupil counts and that the budget includes conservative assumptions and plans for midyear amendments. The presentation outlined three original budgets to be adopted: the general fund, the food and nutrition fund, and the student activity fund.
Why it matters: About 88% of the district's revenue comes from state foundation allowances and categorical grants, staff said; local non‑homestead operating millage is the other major piece. District leaders told the board they plan to ask voters in August to restore the district's non‑homestead operating millage to an 18‑mill level, which staff said would align the district's local revenue with neighboring districts and the state assumption of local collections.
Public comment at the meeting included a resident's plea for community members to contact state lawmakers about timely, inflation‑aware funding. "Ask them why they haven't passed a budget for this year," resident Michael Lynch told the board, urging people to press candidates in upcoming primaries.
The board voted to approve Form L‑4029, the 2026 tax‑rate request, and to accept the original budgets presented. On the form discussion, staff noted that property‑value rollback will continue year‑to‑year and that authorizing up to a higher maximum (the board cited a 23‑mill authorization used as a protection) helps maintain an approximately 18‑mill practical rate despite future rollbacks.
What the vote did: The motions to accept the budgets and approve the Form L‑4029 were carried by the board as recorded at the meeting (motions recorded as carried by voice or unanimous roll‑call votes). The board also approved routine consent items tied to the budget package, including final amended 2025‑26 budgets.
Next steps: District staff said final revenue estimates will come once the state completes its budget and when October pupil counts are available; the board will review midyear amendments and audited 2025‑26 actuals in the fall.
