January 3, 2008

Lind School District requests M&O levy increase

 

Lind School Board members unanimously approved a resolution to increase the maintenance and operations levy on Dec. 17.

The district is requesting $485,000 in 2009 and $545,000 in 2010.

The school district has received $425,000 from M&O levies for four years, previously asking for $385,000 for four years and $360,000 before that.

Although the district is increasing the levy request, taxpayers will realize a decrease because the district plans to reduce the bond taxes in 2009 and pay off the bond in December of 2009.

• Current M&O levy for 2005-2008: $425,000

• Current debt service levy for 2005-2008: $330,000

• TOTAL taxation in 2008: $755,000

• Proposed M&O levy for 2009: $270,000

• Proposed debt service levy for 2009: $270,000

• TOTAL taxation in 2009: $755,000

• Proposed M&O levy for 2010: $545,000

• Debt service (paid off December 2009): $0

• TOTAL taxation in 2010: $545,000

Because the dollar amount for the levy is a fixed amount, changes to property assessment changes won’t affect how much money the school district collects. The dollar amount requested is the maximum the district can collect.

According to a presentation Superintendent Dave Thomas is developing, the district continues to offer a quality program by making do: old vehicles, refurbished computers, old kitchen equipment, stage curtain, old boiler, old water pipes and a 45-year-old elementary building.

The district foresees aged equipment wearing out and needing replacement or renovation.