The Esko School Board unanimously voted Thursday, Sept. 24 to set the district’s 2021 proposed tax levy to the maximum amount allowed by the state.
The levy is set to decrease 14.97% after a 10.77% increase in 2019-2020. In 2020 the levy was $2.4 million. The maximum for 2021 is $2 million, or a decrease of $369,372, according to the Minnesota Department of Education.
There are several factors that affect the levy including property valuations in the district and school projects, said Janet Halonen, business manager. The board can the reduce the levy amount, but cannot increase it.
She explained that the school district had a large HVAC project in the 2017-2018 school year, which caused the levy to increase in 2019-2020. She said the current proposed levy decreased because the project is finished.
The 2019 levy made up 13% of the district's revenue, Halonen said.
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The school district’s Truth in Taxation hearing is set for 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21.
