HSSD Board of Education Announces Plans for $8.99 Tax Levy Rate - Lowest in 12 Years
Board declares intent to lower rate as part of April 2021 referendum plan
Suamico, Wis. - At its meeting Monday evening, January 25, the Howard-Suamico School District Board of Education declared its intent to lower the district’s tax levy rate for the first time in 12 years, to $8.99 per $1,000 of equalized fair market property value. The move is part of the April 6, 2021 referendum plan, passed unanimously by the Board at its January 11 meeting.
The announcement comes in response to a Community Task Force recommendation that the Board consider lowering the tax levy rate, also commonly referred to as the mill rate, after six straight years at a stable rate of $9.19 per $1,000.
The intent is to lower the rate from $9.19 to $8.99 for the final two years of the current operational referendum, and to maintain $8.99 for the five years of the proposed replacement operational referendum ending in 2028. The Board will officially set the levy rate in October when it is scheduled to take formal action on establishing the levy rate for the 2021-22 school year. The Board action to lower the rate is contingent on the passing of the April 2021 referendum questions.
The Community Task Force levy rate recommendation was one of five presented to the Board as part of its referendum planning process at the January 11, 2021 meeting. The board ultimately approved two referendum questions January 11 to be presented to the community on the April 6, 2021 ballot.
Question 1 is for $5 million per year over a five-year period to renew funding that would maintain lower class sizes, support staff compensation, and facilities maintenance. If approved, the question would lower the annual funding from the current $5.85 million to $5 million per year beginning in 2023.
Question 2 is for $98 million to address critical facilities projects throughout all eight district schools, including replacements and upgrades to roofing, windows, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and electrical systems, along with issues related to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility. Additionally, the referendum provides for learning environment renovations at Bay View Middle School and Forest Glen Elementary School.
For more information on the district’s needs and the solutions that will appear on the April 6 ballot, visit www.hssdschools.org/community/referendum.