MAYVILLE — In action that is sure to please Mayville School District tax payers, the school board kept this year’s tax levy increase to a low 1.2 percent and voted 7-0 for a $5 million levy for school year 2009-2010, and voted 7-0 for a final budget of $12.3 million.
Another bit of good news the board heard Thursday was that the mill rate of $9.15 that they approved at the August annual meeting will actually be decreased to $8.77.
“That’s because the levy for debt service has been reduced by $200,000 resulting in a savings for tax payers,” said District Administrator Ron Bieri. “This was brought about by restructuring the districts overall debt.”
Bieri said that all over Wisconsin state aid to schools was decreased 3 percent. “In a normal district that’s bad news, but in our district we only lost $815 due to the equalized valuation reduction due to the correction in the TID 3 District by the state of Wisconsin.”
Bieri said stable enrollment was also a help.
“I’m glad we didn’t cut back any programs,” said board member Richard Fink.
“It just boggles my mind how we got it down to the dollar,” said board vice-president Norbert Dornfeldt. “We are pleased and fortunate. Ron Bieri is worth his weight in gold.”
Bieri said this year presented a unique situation that helped the district come through in good shape.
“But there are reasons to be concerned on the horizon. Things will be different next year,” he said.
hsnyder@capitalnewspapers.com