2021 Supplemental Levy
Providing tax relief while supporting education.About the Levy:
The TFSD has utilized a supplemental levy since 2011. The recommendation for this levy comes from a group of community members serving on the Budget Advisory Committee (BAC). They review district finances and needs and make recommendations to the School Board. The BAC endorsed the district pursuing $5.7 million for two years for the upcoming levy election.
The supplemental levy is a general revenue source and equates to roughly nine percent of the operational budget. It supports all aspects of the district. As a people-based organization, roughly 80 percent of the budget pays for staffing.
These funds allow our district to offer a wide range of programs for our students. We aren’t alone; 93 of Idaho’s school districts utilize supplemental levies to support their programs. These levies are more than a supplement, they are an important part of how our district operates.
In addition, in the spring of 2020, the TFSD reduced $2 million of expenditures to help keep the district’s budget balanced. The increase in the supplemental levy would help to bring back some of the positions that were cut, including much-needed custodial staff members.
The TFSD has utilized a supplemental levy since 2011. The recommendation for this levy comes from a group of community members serving on the Budget Advisory Committee (BAC). They review district finances and needs and make recommendations to the School Board. The BAC endorsed the district pursuing $5.7 million for two years for the upcoming levy election.
The supplemental levy is a general revenue source and equates to roughly nine percent of the operational budget. It supports all aspects of the district. As a people-based organization, roughly 80 percent of the budget pays for staffing.
These funds allow our district to offer a wide range of programs for our students. We aren’t alone; 93 of Idaho’s school districts utilize supplemental levies to support their programs. These levies are more than a supplement, they are an important part of how our district operates.
In addition, in the spring of 2020, the TFSD reduced $2 million of expenditures to help keep the district’s budget balanced. The increase in the supplemental levy would help to bring back some of the positions that were cut, including much-needed custodial staff members.
Learn More!
The TFSD will be hosting an informational meeting about the supplemental levy
When: Thursday, February 25, 7 p.m.
Where: O’Leary Middle School Auditorium and Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81213788697
2021 Supplemental Levy Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is a supplemental Levy?
A: A supplemental levy is a two-year property tax that school districts can utilize for general operating expenses. The TFSD has utilized a supplemental levy for the past nine years to continue to offer robust programs to our students and to ensure adequate staffing levels.
Q: How does the district decide if it will pursue a supplemental levy?
A: The TFSD has a Budget Advisory Committee made up of community members who make recommendations to the TFSD School Board regarding ballot measures like the supplemental levy. The BAC meets every fall and evaluates the district finances and needs before making a recommendation.
Q: How does the district decide on the amount it will pursue with a supplemental levy?
A: The BAC can make a recommendation of an exact amount or provide the school board with options to decide on. This year, based on the needs of the district and the desire to lower taxes, the BAC recommended the district pursue somewhere between $5.5 million and $6 million on the 2021 supplemental levy. The school board heard this proposal and settled on $5.7 million, which in conjunction with other financial decisions will provide property taxpayers with a decreased tax rate while increasing funding for schools.
Q: How much funding will the TFSD receive if the supplemental levy is approved?
A: The TFSD currently has a supplemental levy through which it receives $5 million per year. This levy will expire for the 2021 tax year. The new levy would replace the existing levy and increase the amount the district receives by $700,000 per year.
Q: What does the supplemental levy pay for?
A: The supplemental levy is a general revenue source. The TFSD is a people organization. Roughly 80 percent of the district’s budget is spent on staff members. This means that the supplemental levy supports the district’s efforts to have adequate staffing which in turn supports the many programs we offer to our students.
Q: Why does the TFSD need a supplemental levy
A: In the spring of 2020 the TFSD reduced $2 million of expenditures to help keep the district’s budget balanced. The increase in the supplemental levy would help to bring back some of the positions that were cut including much-needed custodial staff members.
Q: How will the TFSD provide tax relief while pursuing an increase in the supplemental levy?
A: In the fall of 2020 the TFSD took steps to reduce the bond levy collections. This process included refinancing the bonds, which will save the community $13.7 million in interest payments. The process also reduced the annual collection to repay the bonds by $1 million. This lowered the overall tax rate from $4.28 to $3.63 per $1,000 of taxable property value. The district is poised to lower collections for the bond payments by another $1 million in the upcoming year. This would lower the tax rate even more to $3.56 even with the increase in the supplemental levy, if it is approved. This means tax payments will have dropped $119 per $100,000 since the 2018 tax year. The proposed levy rate makes up $7 of this reduction.
Q: If the district needs additional funds to pay for staffing, does that mean the district is overstaffed?
A: The TFSD has just under the state allowance for staff members in the certified (teachers, counselors, and librarians) and administrative categories. The TFSD does employ 51 more classified FTE (full-time equivalent) than what is provided for through state funding. These are critical positions in the TFSD including custodial staff members, safety and security aides, para educators, librarians, computer lab assistants, secretaries, and food service workers.
NOTICE OF SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL LEVY ELECTION
TWIN FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 411
TWIN FALLS COUNTY, IDAHO
Public Notice is hereby given according to law, and the requisite action of the Board of Trustees of Twin Falls School District No.411, Twin Falls County, Idaho, that a special supplemental levy election will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of said District their vote and determination on a supplemental tax levy.
The polls will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at your regular polling precinct.
An elector must be a registered voter who has resided in this state and in this school district at least thirty (30) days preceding the election.
The question submitted will be:
“Shall the Board of Trustees of School District No. 411, Twin Falls County, State of Idaho, be authorized and empowered to levy a Supplemental Levy in the amount of Five Million Seven Hundred Thousand and No/Dollars ($5,700,000.00) per year for two (2) years, commencing with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2023, for the purpose of financing any lawful expenses of maintaining and operating the District; all as provided in the Resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees on December 14, 2020?
The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed levy is a tax of $118 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. Currently, the District collects a supplemental levy that costs $104 per $100,000 that will expire when the proposed levy goes into effect. The District also collects a bond levy that is expected to decrease by $21 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value. Therefore, the overall estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer per $100,000 of taxable assessed value will decrease by $7 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value.”
| IN FAVOR OF AUTHORIZING A SUPPLEMENTAL LEVY IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,700,000 PER YEAR FOR TWO (2) YEARS |
|
|
AGAINST AUTHORIZING A SUPPLEMENTAL LEVY IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,700,000 PER YEAR FOR TWO (2) YEARS
|
________________________ |
Qualified electors who expect to be absent from the District on March 9, 2021, or who will be unable, because of physical disability or blindness, to go to a polling place, may vote by absentee ballot. Written application for an absentee ballot may be made to the Twin Falls County Clerk on a form made available at the Twin Falls County Clerk’s Office, 630 Addison Ave. West, Twin Falls on Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Such application must be made no later than 5:00 p.m., February 26, 2021. The absentee ballot request must be received by the Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. eleven days before the election. Absentee ballots must be returned to the Clerk by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
By Order of the Board of Directors.
_________________________________________
Clerk of the Board of Trustees
Posted: February 22, 2021
TFSD Admin Office
TFSD Website
