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Fieldcrest presents tax referendum case to City Council

Monday, March 3, 2003 Posted 3:30 p.m.
Fieldcrest board members Tom Barth and Pat Schmillen presented the school district's case for a tax increase to the Minonk City Council at their normal Monday night meeting. Schmillen said that 60% of the school districts in the state this year will be facing a budget deficit and 80% will face a deficit next year. Reductions in state spending necessitates that the school district either raise the maximum tax rate by .90 or cut expenses or do both. She pointed out that Fieldcrest's operating expenditure per student was $6,574 compared to the state average of $7,926. Also, the school's teachers salaries averaged $40,177 compared to the state average of $49,702.

Schmillen said that Fieldcrest has not levied at the highest rate in 9 out of the last 12 years. She said if the tax referendum is passed in April, it does not necessarily mean that the maximum tax rate will be used. If enough cuts can be made, the maximum tax rate will not be needed. Below is a list of how much taxes will increase if the tax referendum is passed.
Farmland
Annual Increase

40 acres - 100.08
80 acres - 200.16
120 acres - 300.24
160 acres - 400.32
200 acres - 500.40

Home Values
Annual Increase

$40,000 - 120.00
$60,000 - 180.00
$80,000 - 240.00
$100,000 - 300.00
$120,000 - 360.00
$140,000 - 420.00