Levies

State lawmakers raised state property taxes and limited local levy authority in an effort to fully fund basic education. Despite that swap in funding support, state dollars only cover basic education. The coverage does not include athletics and creative and performing arts, and frequently falls short of funding special education services.

RSD did receive funding from the Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund from the federal government through the 2020-21 school year. These dollars reimbursed districts for additional costs caused by the pandemic or to address impacts to students from the pandemic.

RSD has already spent these funds on personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff and students, physical and technical infrastructure to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 in schools and academic supports and tools to address learning loss.

The current EP&O Levy approved by voters was designed for flexibility if state lawmakers adjust the local levy rate limit. The initial limit set by the state was $1.50 per $1,000 in assessed property value, but the Legislature raised it to $2.50 in 2020. The renewal levy maintains the current $2.50 rate.

Yes! Contact the Benton County Assessor’s Office for a property tax exemption or deferral.

Levies are for learning. A levy is a short-term, local property tax passed by the voters of a school district that generates revenue for the district to fund programs and services that the state does not fund or fully fund as part of “basic education.”

Bonds are for building. A bond provides funding for capital projects such as purchasing property for schools, constructing new schools, or modernizing existing schools and district buildings.