MONROE - Monticello school district will be asking voters to continue for another eight years efforts that began with the 2008 referendum. That question will be on the April ballot.
This time around, however, the request is for more than twice as much.
Approving the referendum will authorize the district to exceed revenue limits set by state statutes by a total of $5.85 million during the eight years. The 6-year 2008 referendum was for $2.4 million.
The 2014 referendum plan offsets the difference as the 2008 referendum annual allowances trail off until 2018, and authorizes the district to exceed revenue limits by about $820,000 per year. The new referendum allowance would then kick in at the full $820,000 per year until 2022.
According to school officials, the additional revenue would add an estimated $56 of property taxes on a $100,000 home. Property owners would see that tax increase beginning with December 2014 tax bills.
The new funding would be used for "non-recurring purposes," which include continuing the 2008 approval for operational expenses, according to the referendum wording.
The list of referendum needs, totaling $1.35 million, is heavy in building repairs - about $800,000.
Hitting the building repairs account hardest will be replacing the aged heating system in the 1995 addition, which will take more than $320,000.
The roof that represents a never-ending maintenance project, according to District Administrator Allan Brokopp, will need another $147,000, with an additional $215,000 if quality metal is used.
Doors and floors add another $70,000 to the bottom line.
Second highest among the many items on the list of needs is transportation. The school is seeking to purchase three school buses and two vans for student transport at an estimated cost of $350,000.
Technology upgrades for the business and computer lab and equipment replacements or upgrades for welding, agriculture, technical and band classrooms are being budgeted at $120,000.
The cafeteria also will be allowed to spend about $36,000 for new ovens and tables, while 20-year-old playground equipment also is due to be replaced for $35,000. Brokopp said the current playground equipment is not made any more, and replacement parts are becoming impossible to find.
The school board is planning to hold at least one more public information meeting on the referendum in March at the school as well as accepting invitations from community organizations to speak at their meetings.
This time around, however, the request is for more than twice as much.
Approving the referendum will authorize the district to exceed revenue limits set by state statutes by a total of $5.85 million during the eight years. The 6-year 2008 referendum was for $2.4 million.
The 2014 referendum plan offsets the difference as the 2008 referendum annual allowances trail off until 2018, and authorizes the district to exceed revenue limits by about $820,000 per year. The new referendum allowance would then kick in at the full $820,000 per year until 2022.
According to school officials, the additional revenue would add an estimated $56 of property taxes on a $100,000 home. Property owners would see that tax increase beginning with December 2014 tax bills.
The new funding would be used for "non-recurring purposes," which include continuing the 2008 approval for operational expenses, according to the referendum wording.
The list of referendum needs, totaling $1.35 million, is heavy in building repairs - about $800,000.
Hitting the building repairs account hardest will be replacing the aged heating system in the 1995 addition, which will take more than $320,000.
The roof that represents a never-ending maintenance project, according to District Administrator Allan Brokopp, will need another $147,000, with an additional $215,000 if quality metal is used.
Doors and floors add another $70,000 to the bottom line.
Second highest among the many items on the list of needs is transportation. The school is seeking to purchase three school buses and two vans for student transport at an estimated cost of $350,000.
Technology upgrades for the business and computer lab and equipment replacements or upgrades for welding, agriculture, technical and band classrooms are being budgeted at $120,000.
The cafeteria also will be allowed to spend about $36,000 for new ovens and tables, while 20-year-old playground equipment also is due to be replaced for $35,000. Brokopp said the current playground equipment is not made any more, and replacement parts are becoming impossible to find.
The school board is planning to hold at least one more public information meeting on the referendum in March at the school as well as accepting invitations from community organizations to speak at their meetings.