School Board OKs Levy, Which Could Mean Higher Taxes

The Eden Prairie School Board unanimously approved a preliminary tax levy at its current estimated maximum of approximately $40.3 million at the Sept. 25 board meeting.

The 2013 tax levy will mean a small tax increase for median homeowners in Eden Prairie. This increase is the result of a district-wide 2 to 3 percent decline in property values during the past year, according to documents presented at the Sept. 25 meeting.

“There’s no new money coming to the school district via tax levy,” said Patricia Magnuson, who is the Chief Operating Officer of the Eden Prairie Schools Finance Department.

Magnuson proposed the funds from the 2013 levy total $40.3 million. This is an increase of $17,705.11, or .04 percent, compared to the 2012 levy.

The majority of funds from the 2013 levy will go toward the district’s general fund, according to Magnuson. Levy funds will be used as revenue for the 2013-14 school year.

The preliminary levy was approved with no discussion of the motion by the board.

Establishing the levy at its maximum will allow the district to continue to work on the specifics of the levy until December. The board will set the final tax levy at a meeting on Dec. 11, at which public comment regarding the levy will be permitted.