Yes for Kids!

When the school board proposed the long range school facility renovation program in 2003, they intended that bond amortization rates would remain the same throughout the life of the 25-year plan. Voters in 2003 approved the first phase of the program (six years) at a rate around $1.96 per thousand of assessed value. For the dollars needed to continue the plan starting in 2009, the school district intends to keep the estimated tax rate around $1.96.

School levies rates are governed by several limiting factors.

The levy amount approved periodically by voters.  In Spokane, voters last approved a three-year levy in 2006 at a rate of $3.75 listed on the ballot. They are being asked to renew the levy this year, again for three years. The 2009 ballot lists an estimated lower rate of $3.56 per $1,000.

The actual amount collected, however, is also governed by the State’s levy lid law and the District’s overall assessed valuation. As the overall valuation goes up over the three-year period, the levy rate actually goes down because of the effect of the levy lid.  Increases in property value or new property on the tax rolls help lower the rate for everyone. For example, the actual amount being paid now is $2.86 and the new three-year levy will be governed by same limitations on overall taxes collected.