The budget hearing for the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows School District will take place next week at their regular meeting on Monday, April 11 at 5 p.m. In preparation for the hearing, the budget was published in the Monitor on March 24. 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 $13.27902 (per thousand dollars of taxable value) for the former Clarion-Goldfield part of the district and $12.75158 for the Dows part. This is only a cent or two higher than last year’s levy which was $13.265 and $12.725 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. This will remain the case for the next few years still.
The CGD levy rate is in the middle of the rest of the county’s schools. Belmond-Klemme’s rate fell from $12.97 last year to $11.79 in the recently agreed upon budget. If approved at their April 11 budget hearing, Eagle Grove’s rate would be about $13.35. The average levy across the state is $13.35.
The school district’s tax rate of $13.27902 and $12.75158 means that people will pay about $718.79 (in the former Clarion-Goldfield district) or $690.24 (in the Dows district) in taxes on a home valued at $100,000 (after next year’s property tax rollback). These figures are a little lower than last year, largely due to the rollback difference.
Frye and other CGD officials again wanted to remind people that the current 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 had been saving for those and took out a loan that will not be paid using taxpayer money.
Areas that Frye say significantly affected the levy rate included the rising cost of the student lunch program and staff salaries. She added that she is always pleased that CGD staff work so well with the district when it comes to salaries, which allows the district to keep a comfortable levy rate and maintain a great staff.
Frye also noted the big number people see on the published school budget, $23,854,385, 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 hopes they do not have to spend that much but having some cushion there is important.
Frye added that school districts’ budgets are based on enrollment as they receive funds per student. CGD’s enrollment increased by around 40 students this school year and even more have come into the district since the count date. However, the budget is based on last year’s numbers, which showed a decrease in students.
Overall, Frye feels that the district is in a good position looking forward, though there will be some years of belt-tightening ahead. She says that the district has been taking on several big projects like the baseball/softball complex, gym and preschool remodeling, but that those are necessary projects that will enhance the district and the education it can provide.
Residents and taxpayers are able to make comments during the budget hearing on Monday. The meeting takes place at 5:00 p.m. at the district office in Clarion. Comments can also be sent to the district office prior to the meeting.
