Coffeyville USD 445 school board members have adopted a resolution to exceed the revenue neutral tax rate for fiscal year 2023.

 

This action took place following discussion and public comment on the revenue neutral rate hearing last night. Revenue neutral is when a taxing entity budgets the exact same amount of property tax for the upcoming year as they did for the current year.

 

The proposed budget will result in $27,243 in new tax revenue.

 

Assistant Superintendent and Business Manager Michael Speer says this has to do with property value assesment.

 

Speer says taxes are based on school enrollment and that the process of estimating next year's budget is always a guessing game based on a variety of factors.

 

Local realtor Thomas Darbro spoke during the revenue neutral rate hearing and expressed concern that high taxes in the area are one of the reasons residents are leaving and hurts community growth.

 

Board Member Dr. Jerry Hamm acknowledged Darbro's concerns and superintendent Dr. Craig Correll mentioned utilization of federal money including the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund to lessen the tax burden on residents.

 

In additional action, the board approved paying $20,600 to ESSDACK in Wichita, KS for professional development training.