Belgrade board approves recertified 2024–25 elementary and high school budgets; mill change yields modest taxpayer impact

The Belgrade School Board voted to recertify the district’s taxable values and adopt the elementary and high school budgets for 2024–25 after a motion passed unanimously.

Board member S2 moved to approve the recertification and the budgets; the motion was seconded and the board approved the measure. No members of the public addressed the board during the vote.

District staff (S6) told the board the primary change was in the district’s total taxable value rather than a change in spending. "It wasn't that significant, maybe 1% increase," S6 said, adding that the change reduced the mill rate by about 2.64 mills between the elementary and high school levies. "Every little bit counts," S6 added, while estimating the impact on taxpayers ranged from about $16 to $40 depending on a household’s valuation.

Board members clarified the mechanics in questions to staff. S1 and others noted the change was driven by newly added taxpayers on the rolls rather than a reassessment year, which is why the mill rate adjusted despite little change in the budget total.

The board then took a roll-call-style vocal vote and the motion carried unanimously. The board did not receive public comment on the budget during the meeting.

The board did not set a further public hearing date in the discussion recorded in the transcript; staff presented the recertification as a routine administrative step required before the district finalizes levy rates.

The district’s staff analysis and the board’s vote conclude the procedural recertification; staff indicated no additional action was scheduled on the matter at that meeting.