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Clay County Board approves 2026 budget submission, sets capital outlay mill at 6.5
Summary
Trustees voted to give final approval to the district's 2026 budget package and authorized staff to submit estimated tax rates to the county clerk, setting the capital outlay mill at 6.5 after debate over whether to take a temporary taxpayer break.
The Clay County Board of Education voted to give final approval to the district's 2026 budget package and authorized staff to submit estimated tax rates to the county clerk, setting the capital outlay mill at 6.5.
The board debated whether to reduce the capital outlay mill for one year to provide a taxpayer break or to keep it higher to preserve capacity for capital projects. "It added us $2,000,000 or just north of $2,000,000 in assessed valuation," the superintendent (Speaker 3) said of the district's new property additions, noting that assessed-valuation increases do not change state-aid calculations until the following year. Speaker 11 urged caution about taking more revenue than necessary: "I'm just not taking extra money if we don't need it," they said.
Trustees discussed the mechanics and local impacts of different mill options, with one board member estimating an additional $155,000 in revenue if capital outlay were set higher. Board members also heard from the county clerk's office about timing and valuation uncertainties related to utility assessments; staff warned that voting to exceed the revenue-neutral range would protect the district if final valuations come in higher than current estimates.
After discussion, a trustee (Committee member, Speaker 10) moved for final approval of the budget as presented with capital outlay set at 6.5 mills. The motion was seconded and the board approved the submission of estimated tax rates to the county clerk.
Why it matters: The decision balances immediate taxpayer impacts against the district's ability to fund capital projects and maintain operations. Staff said the valuation increase gives the district a temporary one-year benefit in assessed value that could change state aid calculations next year.
What's next: Clerk staff will publish the required notice and schedule the public revenue-neutral hearing in August; staff will return to the board with finalized figures and a recommended final levy if necessary.
