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Tax bills to rise $95 in January
The average homeowner's share of the recently approved Douglas County School District tax increase will be more than double the projected cost thanks to a jump in property values.
By By: Susan Dage-Ruby
The average homeowner's share of the recently approved Douglas County School District tax increase will be more than double the projected cost thanks to a jump in property values.
The average homeowner's property tax bill will rise by $95 in January because of the 2.915 mill levy increase. Leading up to the November's election, the school district projected the tax increase would add $41 to the average property tax bill.
When the original estimate was compiled, it was based on an average assessment of $291,000, said Christine Stutler, chief financial officer for the school district.
"The assessments came in higher than projected," Stutler said.
The average value of a house in Douglas County is now $305,931, Stutler said. The actual average increased 17.6 percent instead of the 12 percent increase that was calculated from last year's average value of $260,000.
The total assessed value in the county increased from $3 billion to $3.2 billion.
Despite the increase in the assessed value, the district is capped at $17 million, Stutler said.
The $17 million in additional tax money will be used to maintain student performance, teacher quality and class size, said Bruce Caughey, director of communications for the district.
The board of education will evaluate how to distribute the remaining money.
Earlier this year, the school district made $8.8 million in cuts to balance its budget. Because of the tax increase, many of the programs cut by the district can be restored.
Property taxes are mailed to county homeowners once a year, between mid- and late January.
The average homeowner's property tax bill will rise by $95 in January because of the 2.915 mill levy increase. Leading up to the November's election, the school district projected the tax increase would add $41 to the average property tax bill.
When the original estimate was compiled, it was based on an average assessment of $291,000, said Christine Stutler, chief financial officer for the school district.
"The assessments came in higher than projected," Stutler said.
The average value of a house in Douglas County is now $305,931, Stutler said. The actual average increased 17.6 percent instead of the 12 percent increase that was calculated from last year's average value of $260,000.
The total assessed value in the county increased from $3 billion to $3.2 billion.
Despite the increase in the assessed value, the district is capped at $17 million, Stutler said.
The $17 million in additional tax money will be used to maintain student performance, teacher quality and class size, said Bruce Caughey, director of communications for the district.
The board of education will evaluate how to distribute the remaining money.
Earlier this year, the school district made $8.8 million in cuts to balance its budget. Because of the tax increase, many of the programs cut by the district can be restored.
Property taxes are mailed to county homeowners once a year, between mid- and late January.
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