CCS ‘22-23 budget drops tax askings

    A check back at least five years shows the Chase County Schools budget had not asked for fewer budget dollars than the previous year.
    In some of those years, the  tax levy may have been lower, but not the actual dollars requested for the next year’s budget.
    But, as board members look to the upcoming 2022-23 fiscal year, that is the case—fewer overall tax dollars requested are down, and in turn, the levy is dropping, too.
    Property owners will see a .017438 cent drop, from .636499 to .619061 in the levy, based on the preliminary budget figures the school board will review at a public hearing next week.
    In dollars, next year’s budget will spend $230,776 less.
    A big part of the drop is about $550,000 less the budget includes for the building fund, as well as increased district-wide valuation.
    The 2021-22 budget included $948,724 in new taxes for the building fund. For ‘22-23, that’s dropping to $400,000.
    CCS Supt. Adam Lambert said the school board, as it planned for  capital improvements, is getting near the end of the big projects on its drawing table.
    “Our goal is to get our debts paid off,” he said this week.
    Two big projects—the school’s HVAC installation and construction of the auxiliary gym—are about to be moved into the “paid off” column.
    During the 2022-23 fiscal year, Lambert said payments for the HVAC project will be done. Then in the following year, 2023-24, or just after it, the final payment on the auxiliary gym will be made.
    That doesn’t necessarily mean there will be no more building dollars sought in future budget years, he said.
    There will be, he said, to cover unforeseen issues, such as roof problems.
    “It’s always good to put some money in there (building fund), but it won’t be at the level we have seen before,” he said.
    It’s rare to see a drop in tax dollars requested for the General Fund. The 2022-23 budget seeks about $318,000 more than the current year.
    Lambert said those increased dollars mostly will go toward employee salaries/benefits.
    Without a big valuation increase this year, about 4% over the past year in the CCS district, the drop in tax askings and levy wouldn’t be possible.
    The valuation went from $1,269,405,104 to $1,323,405,879, according to assessor’s office figures. That reflects more property over which to spread the tax burden.
    Lambert said the valuation figures above include the small portion of Dundy County that is part of the CCS district.
Public hearing Sept. 13
    Prior to the CCS board’s regular meeting next week, they have scheduled a Sept. 13 public hearing on the 2022-23 budget proposal at 6 p.m. in the board room at the school.
    After they hear comments on the budget, they will then act on the final tax request.
    The public is invited to the hearing and the regular monthly meeting that follows.