Hopkins Public Schools — Transcript
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Preliminary Property Tax Levy Certification (2025 Payable 2026 for FY27)
Analysis of Tax Levy Components and Changes
November Election Ballot Questions and Tax Impact
School Age Care Levy Reintroduction and Review
Votes (1)
Approval of the Preliminary Property Tax Levy (2025 Payable 2026)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [25:05] · Seconded by Unknown [25:12]
The board discussed the proposed levy, noting a 0.44% decrease overall. Jason Mutzenberger explained the rationale for certifying at the maximum allowable amount to retain flexibility for state-mandated changes. Treasurer Heartland inquired about the multi-year trend of decreasing taxpayer burden and the components of state-mandated vs. voter-approved levies. Director Jean questioned the new $80,000 school age care levy, leading to a discussion about potential for increased revenue from eligible expenses, particularly for special education services within programs like Kids and Company. The impact on property owners, including commercial properties, and the interplay with November's ballot questions were also addressed.
Notable Quotes (5)
And as our chair mentioned, we are seeing a small decrease of about $35,000 compared to this year. And um because state calculations can change between now and December, the board often chooses to certify the levy at the maximum amount allowed now.
If we look at total levy um that we're proposing this evening that the board approve is uh 68.7 million. It's down about $300,000 from last year or a minus.44%. I think that's a great message to come forward with especially in a year where we have um some ballot questions that our levy is decreasing at this time and so there'll be a reduction in taxes...
The there are a number of variables. So, the short answer is potentially. Um yes. Um but depending on the increase in their market value, right? So, if your market value of your home goes up significantly, you may still see an increase in the property taxes uh for each jurisdiction. Um school district being one of those.
So that uh early childhood uh $80,000. Um, just a few questions about that. Is that um a uh kind of expanding the uh revenue for the that that we're claiming that we can kind of coming into the system and then b is there more than 80,000 available and you know are we going to get more for the work that we do?
I you know enrollment has a a very big impact on our tax levy and what we're seeing is relatively stable enrollment but our market values of our properties continue to increase right so we're going to see it um values increase enrollment is stable and so the overall tax levy is going to drop because of that.
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Document reviewed for action, funding FY27.
Collection of detailed documents related to the tax levy provided to the board.
State document released around September 8th, guiding levy calculations.
Documents mailed to the community in November after the election, showing proposed tax amounts.
Final approval document for the tax levy, occurring in December.
Public hearing held on December 2nd to share levy details and gather feedback.
Board-approved plan for anticipated spending on long-term facility maintenance.
Ballot question for building improvements, safety, security, and updated classrooms.
Renewal ballot question for critical technology funding, with zero tax impact.
Proposed plan at the board, discussed in context of potential school age care levy funds.