Board considers restoring voluntary debt rollback to shift roughly $100,000 into operating fund without raising tax rate

Jennifer, who presented the item, told the Board that the proposal would restore a prior voluntary debt-service rollback of 0.0072 for every $100 of assessed property so the district can move funds between accounts without increasing taxpayers’ overall rate.

“This just gives us the flexibility to move it from fund 3 to fund 1,” Jennifer said, adding that the district had previously kept the overall rate at 4.9163 and was effectively collecting less than the full authorized amount. She illustrated the change with a simple example and said the restored rollback would translate to roughly $100,000 in available operating revenue.

A board member asked for clarification on the mechanics. “So if I understand this right, if we do increase our operating levy, then our debt we will voluntarily lower the debt on the same amount to where the tax rate will stay the same,” the member said. Jennifer confirmed that the tax rate to taxpayers would be unchanged and that the shift would move money from debt service into the operating levy that pays salaries and utilities.

Another board member asked what effect the move would have on the district’s ability to pay down debt. A member who commented from a prior finance meeting said the district can still pay the debt off but possibly at a slightly slower pace. Jennifer said Robert will bring the detailed calculations and answer additional questions at the next board meeting.

The Board did not take a formal vote on the resolution in the transcript; the administration characterized the change as restoring authorized flexibility rather than raising the tax burden on residents.

The administration will provide specific numbers and the underlying calculation at the next meeting so members can consider a final action.