Minnetonka Schools approves $74 million property tax levy
The Minnetonka Public Schools board unanimously certified a preliminary property tax levy of $73.98 million on September 26, representing a 5.45% increase driven by enrollment growth, inflation adjustments, and capital projects. The decision provides the district flexibility to accommodate potential state-level changes before the levy is finalized.
The school board voted unanimously to certify the 2025 payable 2026 preliminary levy at the maximum amount authorized by state statute. Executive Director of Finance and Operations Paul Bourgeois explained that certifying at the maximum—rather than a specific dollar amount—serves as a "hold harmless" provision. "The state actually computes a lot of factors that go into our levy and oftentimes they will make changes into October," Bourgeois said. "If there's a change into October that we need to have included in there, it would be included by adopting the maximum allowed by statute."
The $73.98 million levy breaks down into major categories including operating funds, local optional revenue, and debt service. The 5.45% increase is primarily attributed to enrollment growth, annual inflation adjustments, and increases in the capital projects levy. The district provided estimated tax impacts for residential properties at various values to help community members understand how the levy would affect their property taxes. The preliminary levy will be filed with the Hennepin County auditor.
In a separate unanimous vote, the board approved a slate of election judges for the upcoming school board election and a building bond referendum scheduled for November 4. The referendum asks voters to approve $85 million in facility projects. Bourgeois praised the recruitment effort, noting the judges represent "a deep bench" of motivated community members. He gave special recognition to Elizabeth Wyel, the district's coordinator of procurement, insurance, and elections, for her work in securing participants. Board member Dan emphasized the critical importance of election judges to democracy, saying: "It's a critical part of the democratic process facilitating these elections. That's how this board representing this community is staffed."
The board also reviewed its draft annual report summarizing the previous year's achievements, financial status, and district goals, with formal approval expected in October. Additionally, the board discussed proposed Policy 219, which addresses remote participation in school board meetings under updated Minnesota statute requirements, balancing in-person attendance with limited remote access options.
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Votes (2)
Certification of the 2025 Payable 2026 Preliminary Levy
Moved by Chris [Approx. Time] · Seconded by Mike [Approx. Time]
The Executive Director of Finance and Operations presented a detailed overview of the preliminary levy, including major categories like operating referendum, local optional revenue, and debt service. The total levy amount was $73,984,619 and represented a 5.45% increase, attributed primarily to enrollment growth, annual inflation adjustments, and increases in the capital projects levy. Estimated tax impacts for various home values were provided. The motion to certify at the maximum amount authorized by statute was explained as a mechanism to provide flexibility for potential state-level calculation changes.
Approval of Election Judges
Moved by Student School Board Representative Camry [Approx. Time] · Seconded by Sally [Approx. Time]
The Superintendent and Executive Director of Finance and Operations presented the slate of election judges for approval, emphasizing the critical role of these community members in facilitating the upcoming school board election and bond referendum. The deep bench of motivated judges and the effective coordination by Elizabeth Wyel were highlighted. Board members expressed gratitude for their service to the democratic process.
Notable Quotes (3)
The proposed motion actually has a very important word in there that we're allowed to do under statute. It's it it recommends that we approve the levy at the maximum amount authorized by statute which is the 73 million which is currently estimated at the $73 million figure. And that reason that's in there is because it's actually a hold harmless because the state actually computes a lot of factors that go into our levy and oftentime they will make changes actually into October. So if there's a change into October that we need to have included in there, it would be included by having that by by adopting the maximum allow by statute, which is again um a terminology that actually is in statute and allows you to to you know have that hold harmless.
But uh this slate of election judges is is it's a deep bench, which is also good. Uh but everybody's motivated and and willing. And I've got to give kudos to our coordinator of procurement, insurance, and elections, Elizabeth Weeble. I'm sorry, Wyel, who is um doing just a fantastic job in her first goaround at this.
I just want to say thank you to the folks who have signed up to be election judges. It's a critical part of the democratic process facilitating these elections. That's how this board representing this community is staffed. And without these folks uh working to do this, I don't know what we'd do.
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
District publication summarizing the previous year, currently in a draft stage for board review.
Draft document of the annual report provided to board members for review.
Proposed policy addressing remote access and participation in school board meetings.
Provides guidance for school boards on conducting meetings using interactive technology.
Referendum on the November 4th ballot to fund $85 million in facility projects, resulting from the Facility Study Task Force's work.
State-mandated report detailing the district's progress towards achievement goals, formerly known as the 'World's Best Workforce' report.
Formal resolution to approve the district's preliminary property tax levy for the upcoming fiscal year.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Remote Access to Board Meetings Policy Discussion (Policy 219)
Excellence in Student Learning Academic Progress Update
Preliminary Levy Review and Certification (2025 Payable 2026)
Election Judges Approval
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