Ankeny School Board Set to Lower District Tax Rate

The Ankeny school district is set to lower the district property tax levy in the next fiscal year, but that doesn't mean taxpayers will see the relief they're hoping for.

At the Ankeny school board's regular meeting Monday night, the board set a public hearing for the proposed 2013-14 fiscal year budget, which includes a 24-cent decrease to the tax levy. The new tax rate will be $20.34 per each $1,000 of taxable valuation.

However, district Chief Financial Officer Jackie Black said homeowners will likely pay more in taxes because of the increase to the state rollback percentage, according to the Des Moines Register.

A house valued at $250,000 will have an increase of $6.35 per month in taxes, while a commercial property owner with business property valued at $750,000 would see taxes decrease by $15.07 per month, the article said.

Aside from the tax rate, Black told board members the district is in good shape financially. Student enrollment continues to grow, as does the property tax base in Ankeny. The district's financial solvency ratio also is improving.

The public hearing will be held at 5p.m. on April 1 at the board's regular meeting.