1/17/08

Two school districts propose levies

School districts in Arlington and Lakewood may benefit from November’s passage of EHJR 4204, which allows school operations levies to pass with a simple majority approval rather than the 60 percent “supermajority” previously required.

Funding measures for the districts will be put before voters on February 19.

Lakewood residents will be asked to approve two separate packages, a program and operations levy that will provide approximately $5 million per year for ongoing programs, and a new $3.8 million technology levy.

The replacement levy funds approximately 17 percent of the district’s daily operations and makes up the shortfall from federal and state funding for basic education. The levy, which is estimated to cost property owners $1.85 per $1,000 of assessed valuation in 2009, will generate approximately $4,466,623 that year. As the assessment drops to $1.54 per $1,000 in 2012, the amount collected would actually increase to $5,665,551.

The technology levy is a four-year program, expiring in 2012, with assessments starting at 33 cents per $1,000 in 2009 and tapering off to 30 cents in 2012. Approval of the measure will authorize the acquisition of technology and related equipment, including infrastructure and security needs.

Arlington voters will be asked to approve a replacement levy that expires at the end of 2008. The cost for property owners will be reduced from the current tax of $3.21 per $1,000 of assessed value to approximately $2.20 per $1,000.

Levy dollars pay for approximately 18 to 20 percent of the district’s budget, funding nearly all the expenses for co-curricular activities and sports, 30 percent of the transportation budget and much of the cost for technology and facility support. Approximately half the levy income is allocated for staffing costs.

Seniors and disabled citizens who meet certain income requirements may be exempt from part or all of local school levy taxes. Contact the County Assessor’s Office at (425) 388-3433 for additional information about exemptions.