The budget hearing for the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows School District will take place next week at their regular meeting on Monday, April 12 at 5 p.m. In preparation for the hearing, the budget was published in the Monitor on March 25. School Business Official Anita Frye also gave some highlights regarding the budget.
The number that most people are concerned about is the total tax levy rate. The proposed levy rate for the next fiscal year for the district is $13.265 (per thousand dollars of taxable value) for the former Clarion-Goldfield part of the district and $12.725 for the Dows part. This is only a cent or two higher than last year’s levy which was $13.254 and $12.704 respectively.
Frye reminds people that the difference in rates between the C-G and Dows parts of the district is due to an existing debt the former had before they combined with Dows. It was agreed that that debt would not be transferred to the Dows portion of the district, hence their rate is a little less.
The CGD levy rate is in the middle or slightly below the rest of the county’s schools. Belmond-Klemme’s rate fell from $15.72 last year to $12.97 in the recently agreed upon budget. Eagle Grove’s rate is the highest in the county at about $14.89.
The school district’s tax rate of $13.265 or $12.725 means that people will pay about $748 (in the former Clarion-Goldfield district) or $718 (in the Dows district) in taxes on a home valued at $100,000 (after next year’s property tax rollback).
Frye and other CGD officials again wanted to remind people that the upcoming building projects in the district (the middle school/elem gym and baseball/softball complex) are not affecting this tax rate. Frye emphasized that the district has been saving for those and will be taking out a loan that will not be paid using taxpayer money.
She also noted the big number people see on the published school budget, $20,993,397, does not mean that the district will be spending that much. That is how much ‘authority’ they have to spend. And they cannot spend money without that authority.
Frye added that school districts’ budgets are based on enrollment as they receive funds per student. CGD’s enrollment fell by 21 students this past school year. That means next year’s budget is based on that decreased enrollment number. And even though funding is lower because of that, it does not mean expenses are lower.
Overall, Frye feels that the district is in a good position looking forward. She adds that federal funds throughout the pandemic have helped relieve much of the burden of many COVID costs. She is happy that the district continues to be fiscally sensible and responsible planners for the future.
Residents and taxpayers are able to make comments during the budget hearing on Monday. The meeting can also be accessed via Zoom.
Meeting Information:
Clarion Goldfield Dows CSD Budget Hearing and Regular Meeting
April 12, 2021 at 5:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91664190662?pwd=RktpWW13ZmR6YjUzdm5WMHphZWRXUT09
Meeting ID: 916 6419 0662
Passcode: PA7213
