Stillwater Election: Voters Will Be Asked To Increase Taxes

STILLWATER, MN — When Stillwater residents head to the voting booth on Nov. 2, they will be asked about whether or not they want to increase property taxes in order to fund Stillwater Area Public Schools.

There will be two ballot referendums. In the first one, Stillwater Area Public Schools asks voters to increase the district's general education revenue by $1,697.55 per pupil.

In the second question, Stillwater Area Public Schools proposes raising the capital project levy authorization in the amount of 4.001 percent times the net tax capacity of the school district.

Here is how the first question will read:

SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 1 (ISD #834)

School District Question 1 Approval of School District Referendum Revenue Authorization

The board of Independent School District No. 834 (Stillwater Area Public Schools) has proposed to increase its general education revenue by $1,697.55 per pupil. A portion of this proposed new authority would replace the existing referendum revenue authorization of $1,307.55 per pupil which is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2021. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would increase each year by the rate of inflation and be applicable for ten years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 834 be approved? BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

Here is how the first question will read:

SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 2 (ISD #834)

School District Question 2 Approving Capital Project Levy Authorization to Fund Technology

The board of Independent School District No. 834 (Stillwater Area Public Schools) has proposed a capital project levy authorization in the amount of 4.001% times the net tax capacity of the school district. The proposed authorization will raise approximately $4,700,00 for taxes payable in 2022, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for ten (10) years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded by the proposed capital project levy authorization during that time period is approximately $47,000,000. The additional revenue from the proposed capital project levy authorization will provide funds for the acquisition, installation, replacement, support and maintenance of software, software licenses, computers, improved technology equipment, networks, infrastructure, and the costs of technology related personnel and training. If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the capital project levy proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 834 be approved? BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

The election will be held on Nov. 2 in Stillwater. In addition to the referendums, Stillwater is hosting a special election for an at-large school board seat. Pete Kelzenberg and Donald G. Hovland are the two candidates running this fall.