Final District 206 levy is approved

Talk about it

As predicted, and at a time when many tax levies are increasing, Alexandria School District 206 levy showed a decrease prior to the passage of the new high school referendum.

At the regular school board meeting held on December 19, the District 206 school board certified the final 2011 (payable 2012) tax levy after holding a public hearing. Visitors were present at the pubic hearing, although no questions were asked or comments made.

A preliminary levy brought to the board in September was approved at $7.706 million – a 4.18 percent decrease from the final 2010 (payable 2011) levy.

There were decreases in three out of the four categories affecting property tax levels. The final levy certified by the board reflected only one adjustment in the debt service fund of $3.3 million to account for the voter-approved high school bond referendum.

The final 2011 (payable 2012) levy was approved at $11,003,962. This approval came at the December 19 meeting.

District 206’s certified levy is well below the state average for what other districts levy in their tax capacity across the state, according to district leaders. Alexandria’s levy is 26.6 percent of the district’s total adjusted net tax capacity – much lower than the state average of 40.5 percent.

“We are mindful of running a tight budget and trying to bring a zero increase, if not a decrease, to our levy,” said Jill Johnson, communications coordinator for District 206.

Trevor Peterson, director of business services, also commented, “We all knew there was going to be an increase due to the passage of the new high school referendum. With all things considered and comparing the effect of that bond and what it was before the homestead credit, the district is still well below state average as far as levy percentage to adjusted net tax capacity.”

In other action, the board approved the audit of the district’s finances through June 30, 2011. Dennis Schmidt from LarsonAllen presented the audit of the district to the board stating, a clean or unqualified opinion.

BY THE NUMBERS

The breakdown of the 2011 (payable 2012) property tax levy for Alexandria School District 206 is as follows:

• General Fund: $3,698,441

• Community Service Fund: $409,071

• Debt Service Fund: $6,149,343

• OPEB Debt Service: $747,107

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