Esko board approves maximum levy

Esko board approves maximum levy

The Esko school board held a special meeting Monday, Sept. 26 to approve the proposed levy payable in 2023.

The board was not able to vote on the levy at its normal meeting on the second Monday of the month because there were details on a few projects, such as the newly proposed fitness center, that still needed to be worked out.

With some of those details ironed out, according to superintendent Aaron Fischer, the district felt more comfortable with the board approving the levy that was presented to them at the special meeting.

The board approved the levy at the maximum, which included adjustments for special projects that the district has planned, such as the lease levy that will be used for the fitness center.

The board and Fischer reported that they are beginning to discuss some initial design plans for the fitness center, after touring centers in other districts across Minnesota over the past few months. More information about the details of the fitness center will be discussed at upcoming meetings.

The maximum figure will be determined later this year after a combination of local, state and federal budget work coalesces. But for now, a 5% levy increase to $2.2 million is anticipated.

Last year, Esko school district taxpayers saw a 1.7-percent increase in their school tax levy. The payable 2022 tax levy of $2.1 million made up 14 percent of the district’s overall revenue of $15.2 million. State sources provided 76 percent of revenues, at over $11.5 million. Federal sources made up $626,892 of funding.

The year before that, property owners in the Esko district saw a 15-percent decrease in their school taxes leading into 2021. The 2021 tax levy was also $2.1 million — a decrease of $370,285 compared to the year before it.