Sauk Prairie School District’s tax impact comes in lower than expected

Sauk Prairie School District’s tax rate will come in under projections made during the run-up to the new construction, coming in 25 cents lower than last year. The project levy for 2021-22 is $9.54 per $100,000 of assessed value. Over the past ten years the district has kept the levy stable, at around $10. In 2021-22 debts service jumps to its highest level in a decade, due to borrowing for the referendum, but a $215,000 jump in equalized valuation aided in keep the tax rate low. While the levy rose—the overall budget of the district—that increase in equalized value helped keep the tax rate low. Ultimately, it was the district’s maneuvers with its debt—saving money when possible—that drove the drop in the tax rate.