A preliminary Alexandria School District 206 school levy for 2021 was approved by the Alexandria School Board on Monday, Sept. 28, during the regular board meeting.
The proposed preliminary levy amount of $16,288,175.99 is lower than last year’s final levy by $71,234.35, or -0.44%. The taxes paid in 2021 affect the district’s 2021-22 fiscal year.
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) computes the levy limitation for each school district based on current legislation and formulas. The School Board can approve levy amounts up to but not exceeding the limits established by the state. Examples include operating capital levy, long term facilities maintenance levy, career and technical levy, and safe school levy.
The preliminary levy provides funding that is allocated to areas including district debt, community service and the general fund.
The voter-approved operating levy that was approved Nov. 5 last year is included in the portion dedicated to the general fund. Approximately 44.9% of the levy is for debt issuances for building bonds, while 3.5% is for Community Service and the remaining 51.6% (about $8.4 million) is for the general fund.
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The final levy amount can be reduced from the preliminary levy but cannot increase unless the changes are authorized by MDE. The school district will make a certification on the final 2021 levy during its December meeting. This meeting will also cover the annual Truth in Taxation presentation.
