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Levy and Bond Election Options Historical and Future Rate Issues. North Thurston Public Schools February 2011. How Bond and Levy Rates Work. Measured in $X per $1000 of assessed valuation If the rate is $2.00 - a home assessed at $200,000 would be paying $400.
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Levy and Bond Election OptionsHistorical and Future Rate Issues North Thurston Public Schools February 2011
How Bond and Levy Rates Work • Measured in $X per $1000 of assessed valuation • If the rate is $2.00 - a home assessed at $200,000 would be paying $400. • Individual property tax payers generally do not see a breakdown between levies and bonds – they see a total amount that they are paying…which we refer to as the Aggregate Rate. • Bond rates may be decreasing but the taxpayer won’t recognize that due to increases in levy rate
Survey Data • Information about our facility needs as shown on last year’s bond request was sent to all district households • 159 respondents through 11/28 • Purpose of survey was to: • Gather data to support a decision about which of the three options to proceed with regarding a potential bond • Determine if categories used last year were meaningful to constituents • Provide means for communication about our facility needs
Project Support (H to L) Basic Large-Scale Repairs (83%) Major Remodels (77%) Life Safety (75%) Technology (72%) Replacing Classroom Space (66%) Planning ahead for Growth (60%) Upgrade classroom space (58%) Initial Concerns 30% of respondents support all projects from the last bond 4% of respondents reject all projects from the last bond 46% said they would prefer we left the initial plan intact Survey ResultsExecutive Summary
Comments from the Survey SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY • I think the schools and community need to be bonded more closely. • Schools should be the hub of the community, providing services to families and making kids part of the community from kindergarten up. • School isn't just a place to go on a cold day; it should be the place that not only teaches math but how to be members of the community. • Get real, be honest with the people, keep them informed.
Comments from the Survey ACCOUNTABILITY • If there are checks and balances in place to ensure money is spent as in the proposal I would be for it, but I wouldn't vote for it as it stands now unless accountability was included in the proposal. • I think Timberline should get their new school - they had designated money last time we passed the vote but for some reason it was spent on RR & NTHS.
Comments from the Survey Current Package and Categorization • I think you need to re-word some of the items. I also think you should prioritize projects, and maybe have more than 1 bond up for vote so that we are not facing an “all or nothing" situation. • The community is confused as to why EVERY school needs improvement. • Woodland elementary needs upgrading but was not mentioned. • Support re-roofing, but wonder what is so bad about the heating systems • I would favor upgrading career and technical education space ($1.85 M), but not interested in upgrading playgrounds, playsheds and play equipment.
Comments from the Survey AFFORDABILITY • It is unfair to use a dilapidated tax base system to have only property owners to fund everything that comes along. • Increased population also means increased revenues. • … my property value was just raised 51% by the county and others were raised around the same amount!!!! That’s more money for you. • DO MORE WITH LESS!!! This is not the time for more money. Taxes are already a burden on most people.