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Board reviews preliminary 2025–26 budget; tax request exceeds allowable growth, triggering joint public hearing
Summary
Finance Committee and Mr. Klein presented a preliminary General Fund budget of $8,759,910 and a total tax request of $6,073,655. Staff noted the non-bond property tax request exceeds the allowable growth computation and the district must complete postcard notification and participate in a joint public hearing under state law.
The Heartland Community Schools Finance Committee and Mr. Klein presented preliminary budget recommendations for fiscal year 2025–26 at the Aug. 25 special meeting. The packet lists a recommended General Fund budget of $8,759,910 and a consolidated tax request of $6,073,655; the recommended General Fund tax request is $4,992,965.
Staff highlighted year-over-year budget details including estimated FY24–25 total expenditures of $6,705,202 and line-item changes across personnel, transportation, depreciation and grants. The packet shows the recommended General Fund tax request of $4,992,965 and a consolidated (total) tax request of $6,073,655 for 2025–26, increases the board will consider when finalizing the budget.
Packet materials and the staff presentation noted that the district’s actual non-bond property tax request for 2025–26 ($5,028,230) exceeds the board’s allowable growth computation ($4,548,688.98). Because the tax request exceeds allowable growth, the district "must complete the postcard notification requirements, and participate in the joint public hearing" under Neb. Rev. Stat. §77-1633; the packet directs the district to provide the required information to the County Assessor electronically by Sept. 4.
Board members did not adopt the budget at the special meeting; they scheduled the required public hearings and a special meeting to consider adopting the budget after the joint hearing. The Finance Committee and Mr. Klein will provide final recommendations for board action at upcoming hearings.
