The Leflore County School District is expecting almost 5 percent more next year in local funding.
According to the district’s proposed budget, which takes effect July 1, the district is seeking almost $5.6 million in revenue from local property taxes, compared to $5.3 million this year.
If the increase is approved as expected by Dr. Ilean Richards, the district’s conservator, it will be the fourth straight year since the state takeover in 2013 that the 2,400-student district has sought at least a 4 percent increase in local revenue.
The tax rate required to raise the amount of requested local funding won’t be known until later this year, as Leflore County is updating its property values, as required by Mississippi law every four years.
If the values were unchanged, the tax rate would be an estimated 37.25 mills, 4.9 percent higher than the current millage rate. The increase would translate to an extra $17 in taxes annually on an owner-occupied home valued at $100,000, and an extra $16 in taxes on a $30,000 car.
“Each dollar that we receive for the school district becomes very important each year because this is what we use to improve the educational experience of all our students from the school district,” said Carroll Mason, the district’s business administrator.
Leflore County Tax Assessor Leroy Ware, however, said the school millage rate could actually come down as property values have risen since the last reappraisal.
The district held its annual school budget proposal meeting on Friday.
The requested increase in local funding appears to be at least partially in response to state budget cuts. Next year’s projected budget, including state and federal funding, is $25.3 million, down 4.5 percent from the current year’s budget.
According to Mason, the state’s allocation to the Leflore County district has decreased from $11.7 million in fiscal year 2015 to $10.9 million this fiscal year. For the 2018 fiscal year, the district is projecting to receive $11.1 million in state funding.
• Contact Lauren Randall at 581-7239 or lrandall@gwcommonwealth.com.
