JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Jamestown Public School District is asking the public to vote on a proposed mill levy increase to help update and enhance aging facilities.
In a letter from Superintendent Rob Lech, the school has pursued two referendums in 2015 and again in 2018. Both were voted down in special elections.
“As a result, we have explored different opportunities to address our biggest concerns and believe the best remaining option exists with increasing our building fund,” Lech’s letter states.
Currently, the district’s building fund allows the school to levy for 10 mills to support their facilities. Dr. Lech says expansion of the building fund has been determined to be the most effective opportunity to address immediate issues, while also being flexible for any future facility planning.
The vote will be asking residents to approve or disapprove of increasing the mills from 10 to 20.
If approved, Lech says they’ll look to their Capital Projects Plan (CPP) which was approved by the school board in 2016.
“The CPP outlined an average of $2.16 million per year in facility needs over a 10-year span across seven schedules,” Dr. Lech points out.
“Since the approval of the CPP, the district has expended an average of $820,090 annually through the building fund with the vast majority of these expenses directly tied to the Capital Projects Plan. This average expense outpaces revenue from the building fund’s 10 mills and has resulted in spending down the interim balance of the building fund. While these projects have been necessary, spending more than we receive in revenue is not a sustainable model,” Dr. Lech states.
It’s estimated that if the referendum is successful, the impact on a $100,000 home would create a tax of around $45 annually or $3.75 month.
The special vote will be held in the Thompson Community Room at the Jamestown Middle School at 203 2nd Avenue SE on September 24th. Voting will be from 7 AM to 7 PM.
Absentee Voting Applications can be found at the District Office at 207 2nd Avenue SE.
If you have any questions, you’re encouraged to contact Dr. Lech at Robert.Lech@k12.nd.us or call 701-252-1950.