MONROE - Home owners could face a 1.55 percent increase in school property taxes as the Monroe School District deals with a projected $1 million deficit this year in combination with declining enrollment and less state aid.
Monroe Business Manager Ron Olson updated the Monroe School Board on a preliminary budget Monday night and said home owners with a $100,000 house could be facing a $17 increase in school property taxes this year. The property tax hike is based on an estimated preliminary $11.26 million total levy and $250,000 less in state aid.
The final projected $34.63 million total budget won't be set until the enrollment count is finalized the third Friday in September, final state aid numbers are in, and the district holds its annual meeting Monday, Oct. 15. The district has about $8 million in fund balance, but Olson has said that is not a long-term fix.
"Our reality is we have proven that we can bring our budget in less than budgeted," Olson said. "Even if we use all of (fund balance dollars), we will probably be all right. We will have the ability to weather the storm. How long will it take to get the financial picture ridded in the state so we know where we are at?"
District leaders project a 2.72 percent decrease in expenditures and 3.75 decline in revenues compared to last year.
Monroe School Board President Bob Erb was concerned with the recent growing trend in the census results. Erb said one-third of the number of residents who live in Monroe that are 35 to 45 years old have moved out of town. He also said that the 55 and over population has increased 55 percent.
"My concern is that this is a growing trend and we will go the way of a lot of other rural districts with smaller enrollment, less programs and fewer reasons for people to come here," Erb said. "It means we can't build anything. We will probably have to continue to cut. We can't cut our way to greatness."
Olson said the district is receiving $401,820 in a declining enrollment exemption.
The district has taken steps to cut costs by cutting $233,500 from its budget in March. The cuts include eliminating $40,000 from the high school building budget; cutting $10,000 from the middle school building budget; reducing to part-time speech and language pathologist; and not filling positions opened as a result of a middle school aide retirement and a middle school teacher resignation.
Olson said the district is refinancing district bonds that will save about $100,000 a year.
District leaders approved a new health care insurance carrier with Unity that includes a 3.2 percent increase. Olson said switching to Unity will save the district $96,000 and will save $757,000 in premiums based on the Wisconsin Education Association Insurance Trust's renewal proposal.
Olson said the Delta Dental insurance carrier will save the district $21,500 compared to last year. The district also has a new transportation contract with Lamers that will save about $70,000. The district and teacher's total Wisconsin Retirement System contribution will jump from 6 to 6.6 percent.
Monroe Business Manager Ron Olson updated the Monroe School Board on a preliminary budget Monday night and said home owners with a $100,000 house could be facing a $17 increase in school property taxes this year. The property tax hike is based on an estimated preliminary $11.26 million total levy and $250,000 less in state aid.
The final projected $34.63 million total budget won't be set until the enrollment count is finalized the third Friday in September, final state aid numbers are in, and the district holds its annual meeting Monday, Oct. 15. The district has about $8 million in fund balance, but Olson has said that is not a long-term fix.
"Our reality is we have proven that we can bring our budget in less than budgeted," Olson said. "Even if we use all of (fund balance dollars), we will probably be all right. We will have the ability to weather the storm. How long will it take to get the financial picture ridded in the state so we know where we are at?"
District leaders project a 2.72 percent decrease in expenditures and 3.75 decline in revenues compared to last year.
Monroe School Board President Bob Erb was concerned with the recent growing trend in the census results. Erb said one-third of the number of residents who live in Monroe that are 35 to 45 years old have moved out of town. He also said that the 55 and over population has increased 55 percent.
"My concern is that this is a growing trend and we will go the way of a lot of other rural districts with smaller enrollment, less programs and fewer reasons for people to come here," Erb said. "It means we can't build anything. We will probably have to continue to cut. We can't cut our way to greatness."
Olson said the district is receiving $401,820 in a declining enrollment exemption.
The district has taken steps to cut costs by cutting $233,500 from its budget in March. The cuts include eliminating $40,000 from the high school building budget; cutting $10,000 from the middle school building budget; reducing to part-time speech and language pathologist; and not filling positions opened as a result of a middle school aide retirement and a middle school teacher resignation.
Olson said the district is refinancing district bonds that will save about $100,000 a year.
District leaders approved a new health care insurance carrier with Unity that includes a 3.2 percent increase. Olson said switching to Unity will save the district $96,000 and will save $757,000 in premiums based on the Wisconsin Education Association Insurance Trust's renewal proposal.
Olson said the Delta Dental insurance carrier will save the district $21,500 compared to last year. The district also has a new transportation contract with Lamers that will save about $70,000. The district and teacher's total Wisconsin Retirement System contribution will jump from 6 to 6.6 percent.