The Ozark R-VI Board of Education meeting held on December 19, 2024, focused on the district's financial outlook, particularly regarding revenue from property reassessment and its implications for future programs.
The discussion began with an examination of new revenue generated from property reassessment, which was reported at $30,000. This figure was attributed to corrections made by the assessor, indicating that the majority of revenue increases stemmed from new construction rather than reassessment adjustments. The total revenue generated was clarified to be $693,000, reflecting a modest growth of only 0.8%, which is below the current inflation rate.
Board members expressed concerns that any reduction in the tax rate could negatively impact the district's financial health. It was noted that a tax rate decrease would hinder the district's ability to fund various programs and initiatives. The board highlighted that the previous year, when the district experienced a 9% growth, was the only time they were required to lower the tax rate.
Overall, the meeting underscored the challenges the district faces in maintaining financial stability while addressing the needs of its programs. The board concluded that careful consideration must be given to tax rates to ensure continued support for educational initiatives.