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Board weighs levy choices; consultant recommended 1% earned-income tax as an option
Summary
Board discussed how to shore up the district’s fiscal recovery, heard a consultant recommendation against a property-tax measure, and considered a 1% earned-income tax with community outreach and a levy committee; timeline options include May or November ballots with collections beginning 2028 if approved.
Board members and administration spent a substantial portion of the June 25 meeting discussing options to address projected long-term fiscal shortfalls. Treasurer and staff reported that, after consulting forecasting specialists, a property-tax levy was not recommended for a near-term ballot because property levies have been failing locally; the consultant suggested a 1% earned-income-tax proposal as an option to restore sustainable revenue if paired with continued expenditure controls.
Superintendent and treasurer urged the board to allow time for community education and to assemble a community-based levy committee to develop messaging and outreach. Board members noted earned-income levies have lower historic passage rates for school districts in the area and raised the need to explain differences between property and earned-income options, the impacts on seniors and wage-earners, and collection timelines. The board discussed two potential opportunities to place measures on the ballot — May and November — and noted implementation (if approved) would likely begin collections in 2028.
No formal board resolution to place a levy on the ballot was passed at the meeting; members directed staff to begin outreach and to recruit potential committee members so the board can make a timely decision at upcoming meetings.
