Spending is sharply up at Lakeland Union High School for next year’s budget, but the tax rate on real estate in the district remains nearly the same as last year’s figure.
Approval of the property tax levy for the 2019-20 budget took place Monday at the district’s annual meeting. As has been the case for the past several years, no one from the general public attended. So, it fell to board members and staff to cast the vote.
Business Services director Greg Kopp presented the 2019-20 budget at the budget hearing held before the annual meeting. Spending for 2019-20 is projected at $20,711,633, up $1.89 million from the actual 2018-19 budget. The district added several new staff positions, including for the charter school. Salary and benefit packages increased by over a million dollars for the new positions and programs, as well as an increase in special education funding. Just over 64 percent of the operational budget is allotted for employees’ salaries and benefits. Transportation costs account for 6.4 percent. Payments on the district’s debt accounts for nearly 7 percent.
Overall revenues are projected at $20,417,785, up $1.9 million from the $18,496,217 compared to the actual 2018-19 budget. Increases came as a result of a $383,000 increase in the property levy, some $200,000 received in donations and grants and an increase of $130,000 in per pupil aid from the state. That leaves an operating deficit of $293,848, which will be covered by the district’s fund balance account. Kopp noted the deficit is not too far off last year’s deficit number.
The district will levy $11,306,190 (up $382,791 or 3.5 percent from prior year) on real estate property to support the budget.
The district’s equalized valuation increased 3.33 percent. Breaking down the levy: General Fund (school operation) accounts for $10,115,927, debt payment accounts for $1,039,052, and community service (facilities manager, custodians and pool operation) accounts for $174,550. The remainder of the revenue stream comes mostly from state and federal sources. Unless your home or other property increased in value this past year, your payment for the high school levy will remain virtually unchanged from last year.
The tax rate will be $1.82 per $1,000 of equalized value. That’s up just 0.17 percent from the prior year. For property valued at $100,000, the tax bill from the LUHS District will be $182. Property taxes also include those from the elementary school district, town, county and Nicolet College.
In the only other vote, board salaries will remain the same at $2,400 a year with the board president receiving $2,500.
