2009-2010 Tax Levy Approved
With a 6-1 vote, the Board of Education agreed with the recommendation made by the Audit and Finance Committee and administration to set the school tax rate levy at $5.9069 at the Monday, August 17, 2009 school Board meeting. The new levy is a 26.69 cent increase over last year’s levy.
The district was previously operating below the taxpayer approved levy rate that was set in 1984. The reasons stated for the levy increase include:
· Providing needed operating funds for Liberty North High School
· Maintaining acceptable class sizes
· Minimizing the impact of declining property values
· Creating a sustainable financial future for the school district.
The impact on a homeowner with a $200,000 house and $20,000 of personal property will be an increased tax bill of $119.04 over last year, if the taxpayer experienced no decrease in property value. If the same property owner had a decline of 5% in their property value, their school tax increase would be $6.81 over last year’s taxes.
Significant increases in property values in the past have allowed the district to operate with a tax levy below the “voter approved levy.” In fact, the district often rolled the levy back to ensure there was not a windfall of revenue during prosperous times—something required by the Hancock Amendment. During times of declining property values, districts are allowed to adjust the levy to a higher level (within the voter approved rate) to help make-up for lost revenue.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the school tax levy, you are encouraged to contact Mike Brewer, Superintendent of Schools, at mbrewer@liberty.k12.mo.us.
