Carson City school leaders close in on bond vote; property taxes for schools would decrease
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 10:08pm
Assessing $25 million in immediate needs, $10 million in enhancement and ongoing technology needs to keep school facilities operational for several years to come, Carson City voters could very well see their property taxes paid to schools decrease by 4 cents.
The Carson City School District Board of Trustees unanimously agreed Tuesday to give its superintendent the authority to move forward with planning and developing its budget, by dropping the school district property tax rate on homeowners from 47 cents to 43 cents, which would cover the district's immediate facilities needs, education-specific and technology needs through 2020.
Voters would have to approve the changes in a bond continuation measure in November.
"I think it is being very fiscally responsible," said Norm Scoggin, trustees president. "We would be getting our basic needs; the minimum amount of what we can get by with, especially in these times."
Trustees presented the district's 2010-2015 Facilities Master Plan, which you can see by clicking on this link: http://www.carsoncityschools.com/masterplan/MPDRAFT2010.pdf
Tuesday's vote gives superintendent Richard Stokes the authority to tell the state its intentions that it will be seeking a tax rate decrease from 47 to 43 cents per parcel. Trustees also agreed within the vote to begin immediate preparation for placing the "tax continuation" bond question on the November 2010 general election ballot.
After months of master plan committee meetings, the tax rate was "beaten completely to death" with 43 cents being decided on as an acceptable and responsible take on the district's needs and the money to cover those needs, said Trustee James Lemaire.
"We are being very conservative," Lemaire said.
Trustees Steve Reynolds, Randy Carlson, Stacie Wilke, Lynnette Conrad and Joanna Wilson spoke to the issue of a technicality as to where the remaining 4 cents would go to if the bond measure failed. By default it would return to Carson City's general fund, according Marty Johnson, the district's account from JNA Financial.
As written into record, the following includes the 47 cent to 43 cent tax structure. Trustees agreed Tuesday to:
— Maintain ongoing process for involving all stakeholders in school district planning and
goal –setting development
— Begin immediate preparation for placing “Tax Continuation” bond question on November
2010 general election ballot (school board to provide direction)
— Tax continuation bond will assure adequate revenue resources accommodating
long-term facility needs and flexibility for meeting future educational program
goals
— Set ad valorem tax rate as determined by prioritized need
— Need based on sub-committee reports; Immediate facility needs: 2011/2012 = $25,000,000
— Enhancements to educational programs: Specific programs to receive
enhancements to be determined by development of “Educational Specification”
including but not limited to; CTE, Performing & Fine Arts, Pioneer High School,
Eagle Valley Middle School — 2013/2014 = 10,000,000
— PAYG:(Pay As You Go) funding for 5 year replacement cycle of technology — 2011 thru 2020 = $350,000-$500,000 per year
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