Barnes County North board approves preliminary budget, sets levies and flags capital needs

Barnes County North’s School Board approved a preliminary 2024–25 budget and took levy actions at its July 17 meeting, while acknowledging uncertainty in property valuations and a preliminary projected shortfall.

District staff described the capital equipment line at $150,000 to cover expected purchases, including a potential lease buyout for a skid steer. The business office recommended levying the same dollar amount as the prior year, which the administration estimated would translate to roughly 71 mills based on current preliminary figures. The board approved a motion to file the preliminary budget and to mill the same dollar amount as last year; board members later approved a motion to levy 5 mills for the building fund for 2024–25.

Administrators noted they had not received all revenue numbers at the time of the meeting and that property valuations in Barnes County were expected to decline, which influenced conservative budgeting. One presenter said the board should expect a preliminary deficit (discussed in the meeting as about $808,000) and emphasized that carryover funds and conservative estimates meant the district did not anticipate an $808,000 final deficit at year end.

The board also discussed ESSER funds, reporting an available balance of about $5,003.06 and a plan to use remaining ESSER funds for curriculum purchases. The business office was assigned follow‑up tasks to file the preliminary budget with the county and monitor expenses as final valuation data become available.

Next procedural deadlines cited during the meeting required the district to file preliminary budget materials in early August.