Wayzata Public Schools — Transcript
Monday, September 22, 2025
Preliminary Levy Certification for 2025 Payable 2026
Property Tax Levy Mechanics and Impact
Votes (2)
Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Items
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:00:46] · Seconded by Unknown [0:00:46]
The board considered the routine approval of the meeting's agenda and consent agenda items, which are generally enacted in a single motion without separate discussion unless requested by a board member or citizen.
Preliminary 2025 Payable 2026 Levy Limitation and Certification
Dissent: None
Moved by Milan Sahony [0:57:46] · Seconded by Sheila Prior [0:57:50]
Executive Director Trevor Peterson presented the preliminary 2025 payable 2026 levy certification, proposing a 4.74% increase. He explained the multi-step timeline, the role of state laws and pupil units in funding, and how different property tax bases (referendum market value, net tax capacity) affect the levy. Board members expressed appreciation for the clarity of the presentation and the finance team's work, especially regarding the nuanced impact on individual property tax bills. A key point of discussion was the strategic advantage of approving the maximum allowable levy to maintain financial flexibility for potential state-level adjustments before the final approval in December.
Notable Quotes (4)
I always like to tell the story. Um the recommendation is to do it at maximum be by because doing that does still allow us the flexibility to change this and levy for less if we so choose um at the board meeting in December. Um if you approve it at a specific dollar amount no matter what happens between now and December that is the dollar amount that is the maximum dollar amount you could do. You could also do less um but it does not provide you the flexibility if there's any changes between now and December.
specifically about 4.78 levy to the max not to the dollar or lesser percentage right that doesn't mean that your tax bill is going to go up by 4.78%. Um so I think the range that you have shown uh by property by classification I think that resonates well and that helps tell the story.
This will be my 18th time through this uh in Weisetta. I don't think we've ever not levied the maximum in September or in December. And um I would not recommend that we do that.
if a district saw a significant increase in net tax capacity um so let's say they had a capital projects levy that was based on the net tax capacity and the net tax capacity of the district increased 30%. um which is going to be which is going to provide a a pretty good increase to each property owner and it's and we'll say it's a small district um where all of a sudden that gets to be pretty significant. Um maybe a district should come back and say that that's a pretty big jump for our taxpayers. We're going to underlevy in the capital projects levy.
Ordinances & Resolutions (4)
The main financial document presented for board approval, detailing the proposed property tax levy for the upcoming fiscal year.
A long-term facilities maintenance revenue application approved in July, serving as the first step in the annual levy process.
The state system where all school districts submit their levy information to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) for calculation.
Statements mailed to property owners by the county, using data from the preliminary levy certification.