Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board approves $28.3M preliminary levy certification

Prior Lake American

The Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board approved a preliminary levy certification of more than $28.3 million for the 2018 payable year during its regular meeting Monday, Sept. 25.

This is an increase of 2.36 percent over last year. However, the tax capacity has also grown so the extra percent will be spread out over the tax base, Executive Director of Business Julie Cink said during a presentation to the board.

So, unless home valuations were to increase over 5 percent, residents won't see an increase from the school side of taxes, Cink said.

The preliminary levy certification is due to the state auditor by Oct. 2. From here, the school board can decrease the levy, but it cannot increase it. 

"It's always toward the end of the month because we have so much information that changes day to day," Cink said.

The levy for the 2017 payable year was about $27.7 million.

Net tax capacity increased 4.8 percent from 2017, according to the presentation, as well as market value, Cink said.

"We are very much exceeding what we would consider the high of our market value back in 2008 so we really are a growing district and a growing community," Cink said.

In the study session held before the regular meeting the board:

• Heard the preliminary audit review for 2016 to 2017. The district was rated "clean" which is the highest audit rating a Minnesota school district can receive.

• Reviewed various policies including drug and alcohol testing, employee use of social media, electronic fund transfers and more. The Voluntary Employees' Benefit Association and Evaluation of Probationary Teachers policies were eliminated. The rest will be discussed at the Oct. 9 regular meeting