The Seward Public Schools' budget calls for a decrease in its total property tax levy.
The budget, unanimously approved by the Seward Public Schools Board on Sept. 13, includes a tax levy of 95 cents per $100 of valuation, a decrease from last year's number of 95.5 cents.
Dr. Josh Fields, district superintendent, said the district was able to keep the levy down because of a 3 percent increase of total valuation in district boundaries.
The total tax asking for the 2021-22 fiscal year would be $16 million, a 2.82 percent increase from last year's $15.6 million mark.
Fields said $14,094,055 would be dedicated to the general fund. The largest portion of which pays salaries and benefits. This year's staffing budget includes a 2.97% salary increase, (about $380,000 total), across all staff approved last year.
“Staff increases with raises or just insurance costs are really what those dollars are utilized for,” he said. “Our operating levy is about at that 3% increase.”
Approximately $1.4 million will go to the bond fund.
Fields said the special building fund's portion of the overall levy did increase from 1.25 cents to 2 cents in order to account for needed improvements to the high school's HVAC system and a large scale carpeting project at the elementary school.
“That'll allow us continue to do those projects,” he said.
Fields said keeping enough money in the building fund is important to conduct needed projects but stay ahead of unexpected expenses.
“Our big expenses are our staffing and our next biggest is facilities. When you have lots of facilities and grounds, you're going to have things over time break down but we're doing our best to stay on top of those,” he said. “We're being very systematic about how we replace those pieces and keep those up to date the best we can so you don't have a catastrophic price somewhere down the road.”
The last portion of the tax asking is dedicated towards qualified capital purpose, which makes up less than .01% at $136,364.
Fields said the district is pleased with its ability to keep the overall tax levy low and asking for 2.8 percent more than last year while adequately satisfying the needs within the budget.
“The board feels very important to be conservative and fiscally responsible to the tax payers,” he said. “When you look at other budgets or state budgets, they'll be a lot of times over that 3% (increase in asking) but we feel it's important to stay under that 3% when possible.”
