Increase on $100,000 home expected to be $22

Taxpayers in Albert Lea Schools will see higher taxes in the district’s 2017-18 tax levy. Taxes payable, however, will still be lower than they were in 2014.

The Albert Lea School Board approved a nearly 3.6 percent increase in the tax levy Monday. The measure passed on a 4-1 vote. Board members Julie Johnson, Linda Laurie, Bill Leland and Dave Klatt voted yes. Jill Marin voted no. Chairman Mark Ciota was absent.

The increase on a $100,000 assessed home is $22. Taxes payable, however, are down $1 from 2014.

“Our taxes have gone down for a number of years,” said Lori Volz, director of finance and operations. “Now we have a little bit of an increase, but overall we’re still down compared to compared to where we were at in 2014. “

In a truth in taxation hearing before the vote, Volz said the increase was due to an increase in the district’s operating referendum and lease levy.

The operating referendum is increasing $113,000 due to an enrollment projection increase and an annual inflationary adjustment. 

The construction lease levy increase covers a more than $81,000 increase in the district’s levy for the district’s collaboration with the Austin Public School District to assist special education students.

The increase also covers a square footage increase at the Area Learning Center at Riverland Community College and for improvements at City Arena.

“It reflects our current situation,” Superintendent Mike Funk said.

Volz discussed lagging state funding for education and the effect that has had on school districts, including forcing a growing reliance on operating referendums for districts across the state.

Leland said after the meeting he was pleased that this was the first tax levy increase in at least four years.

“I think we’re being very fiscally responsible,” he said.

Marin said she voted against the levy because it was a tax increase.

“I hear repeatedly from constituents who cannot afford tax increases,” she said. “They get hit from every direction — the city, the county, the schools and other entities. Many retirees and hardworking families have to do without to meet the demands of government entities.”

Marin cited the board granting Volz an increase of more than $80,000 in the next four years and asking for tax increases as an example that the board is out of touch.

In a public forum before the board’s vote, Albert Lea resident Eileen Holty expressed frustration over the tax increase she faces.

“Where are the people who are representing us?” she said. “Why isn’t some of this money coming back into the school system? It’s sitting there drawing interest, who knows. They’ll find a use for it, but it won’t be the schools. The schools are always the last. They’ll cut the programs before they do anything about funding the programs. So, here comes the taxpayers to bear the burden.”

The tax levy decreased 2.25 percent last year.