The USD 211 mill levy contains 3 mills that is levied for the Norton Recreation Commission. We do not spend or control the money; we only collect it for the Recreation Commission and then transfer it to their budget. Mr. Steve Schrum, Norton Recreation Director, can verify this. Therefore the levy for the USD 211 schools is actually 3 mills less than that which is cited. The USD 211 valuation DID increase by 30% for this budget year. This is due almost entirely to the addition of the property of the former USD 213. This property has actually been part of USD 211 since July 2010. But due to a state statute regarding consolidations it only began to be counted in our valuation for taxing purposes this past July 2013. Therefore, the increase in valuation cited is accurate. However, what is NOT accurate is that it has meant more money for USD 211. IN FACT, IT HAS HAD THE EXACT OPPOSITE EFFECT! THERE WAS NO 30% INCREASE IN FUNDS. This is not the way school finance in Kansas works. USD 211 receives a large amount of State Aid. We are defined by the State of Kansas as being a poor district and receive equalization aid. Adding 30% more valuation in one year meant we got “richer” which then led to us losing a significant portion of state aid. This means our local taxpayers could have to pay more to make up for the loss in state aid. This loss of state aid, plus the fact the STATE of KANSAS is NOT fully funding the state aid formula, means this year the local levy for the LOB increased by more than 4 mills, BUT $189,000 LESS is actually being raised. To raise the same money this year as last would have required an increase of over NINE MILLS. Also, the State is not funding the “required” state aid for the capital outlay fund. So, Long Story Short, this year USD 211 is levying almost six mills more than it would/should if the State was fully funding the “REQUIRED” state aid. Just as an fyi: 86% of our General Fund is from the State of Kansas and 14% from local taxes; the LOB is 38% from the State and 62% local funds (should be 48% and 52%) and 0% of the Capital Outlay comes from the State and 100% from local taxes (should be 33% and 67%). In regards to the swimming pool and this bond issue. . .they are two separate things entirely and have nothing to do with each other. It is like saying Ag Valley and Prairie Land are supposed to be coordinating their actions and decisions. Like most people, I do not know the reasons why the Main Street grocery closed. However, judging from the fact there has not been a rash of other business closures, I am guessing the increase in sales tax was only a small portion of the reason. Also, lets not forget the state sales tax was SUPPOSED TO HAVE DECREASED, but due some other tax changes (including the elimination of the rebate of sales tax on groceries) and tax cuts enacted by the legislature, the state sales tax was not reduced by the amount it was supposed to have been. This was not the fault of those who supported the swimming pool. Had the state reduced the sales tax as was in the law, the Norton Sales tax would now be less than it was prior to the pool being approved. Athletics? Around $150,000 of tax payer funds are budgeted per year to pay for direct costs of ALL of our student activities; athletics, and non-athletic (scholars bowl, forensics, regional and state music, etc.). Obviously, budgeting only half of this amount for five years, as has been suggested, will not raise the required amount for the proposed projects. visit our website at usd211.org and click on Building Project. All of the bond issue information is contained there.
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 11:57:57 +0000
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