Burrell School Board agrees to not raise property taxes above 4.4% — if at all

The Burrell School Board has agreed to not raise property taxes for next school year higher than the state-inflation based limit of 4.4%.

For the 2022-23 budget budget, the board could vote on a budget calling for that maximum tax increase, a smaller tax hike, or none at all.

The state Department of Education sets inflation-based caps on every school district. The local school board can raise taxes up to that percentage without seeking special permission or getting approval from the voters.

If the Burrell School Board would pass the maximum tax hike of 4.4%, the owner of a home assessed at $22,900 would pay $2,485 in property taxes, according to Jennifer Callahan, Burrell’s business administrator. That’s $104 more than the current tax bill.

The 4.4% ceiling for Burrell’s potential property tax increase next school year equates to 4.5 mills. Each mill brings in about $152,000, Callahan said.

The school board likely will hold a budget workshop in April, although a date has not yet been set, Callahan said.

The board is expected to adopt the proposed budget on May 17, 2022, and vote on the final budget during the board’s June 21 meeting, Callahan said.