This week we are continuing our series of columns that provide information to the community about Brown County Schools’ proposed referendum on May 7.
How would the proposed referendum of ten pennies affect my property taxes?
We have created a chart of sample property values to give voters an idea of what it would mean for their residential homestead.
The simplest answer is to look at what passing the referendum would mean for a Brown County homestead property that is around the average assessed value of $250,000. It would mean investing around $11 per month – .36 pennies per day – towards retaining and attracting high-quality teachers and staff and toward adult education programs at the Career Resource Center.
But the actual increase in property taxes would be even less than what the calculator says because the current tax bills that we paid in 2023 already included an eight-penny referendum that has been in effect since 2016.
I will use my own 4.2-acre property assessed at near the average assessed value as an example. In 2023, under the now-expired referendum, we paid $127.16 for the year at the eight-penny rate. Under the proposed referendum that would take effect in 2025 (with the assumption that the assessed value remains the same), we will pay $138.75 per year.
The actual increase would be only $11.59 more for the year 2025 than we paid in 2023.
I encourage every property owner to determine exactly what the cost would be for your family by using the tools provided here and on our webpage: http://www.browncountyschools.com/referendum-2024/
Step one is to look up your property’s assessed value listed on line 1a and also how much you paid in referendum dollars in 2023 in Table 2. The links we provide take you directly to the tax assessment an all you need to know to look this up is just the property’s address.
Step two is to put that assessed value into our tax calculator and it will calculate the monthly and annual impact for your property. You can also subtract the amount you paid in 2023 for the prior referendum from the estimated 2025 cost to see what a two-penny increase means for you. The annual difference from eight to ten pennies is very small for each property owner.
Residents who rent housing in Brown County are eligible to vote on the referendum question but renters do not directly pay property or referendum taxes. Renters will benefit by voting yes as the funds will positively affect the quality of education for all students in Brown County Schools.
When every property owner gives just a little, we can collectively make a huge impact on the quality of education for the next generation of Brown County children. Please vote “YES” on your primary ballot.
Please reach out to me at [email protected] if you have specific questions.
Amy Huffman Oliver is a member of the board of trustees for the Brown County Schools. She plans to write updates for the community on the school system.
Amy Huffman Oliver is a member of the board of trustees for the Brown County Schools. She plans to write updates for the community on the school system.
