Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Referendum topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board hears plan for $154 million operational referendum aimed at keeping mill rate flat
Summary
District staff presented a draft operational referendum that would authorize up to $154 million over four years (first-year 'up to' $27 million) to address funding shortfalls; board asked staff for alternate inflation scenarios and more defensible cost modeling before finalizing the ballot question.
District finance and operations staff presented a draft operational referendum question that would authorize stepped revenue limits over four years totaling up to $154,000,000. Staff said the structure is intended to keep the tax mill rate neutral for taxpayers while closing a projected revenue gap caused by stagnant state funding and inflationary pressures. "It will be tax mill rate tax neutral. It will not be an increase to the mill rate," staff said while reviewing the ballot language that must follow statutory form.
Staff explained the model assumptions: a stepped annual ask that begins with an "up to" $27,000,000 first year and a 3% inflation assumption for salaries and benefits baked into projections, with additional contract and transportation cost increases modeled separately. A district official said historic funding has not kept pace with inflation for 17 years and illustrated the long-term funding gap, noting that per-pupil funding in 2627 is modeled at $11,650 under current assumptions.
Board members pressed staff on the conservatism of the 3% inflation assumption and asked for alternative scenarios (3.25%, 3.5% and 4%) that show the ballot amounts and mill-rate impacts. One trustee said, "If we go with this 3% projection and it's miscalculated, we're right back here talking about budget cuts," and asked for defensible numbers to present to the community. Staff agreed to model alternatives and explain the assumptions publicly prior to a board vote scheduled in two weeks.
Board discussion also covered contingencies if the referendum fails: staff said program consolidations, accelerated rightsizing and potential service reductions could occur sooner. Several trustees emphasized the need to balance fiscal restraint with ensuring the district can maintain programs the community values and requested additional documentation linking the referendum dollar figures to concrete budget lines.
No final vote was held at the work session; staff will return with scenario analyses and recommended ballot language for the board's upcoming meeting.
