Lebanon School Board lowers debt service tax rate

LEBANON, Mo. (KY3) -The Lebanon School Board voted a close 4-3 Wednesday evening to lower the district’s total property tax levy.

The board rejected the administration’s recommendation to keep the current $4.4650 rate and instead set the 2026 levy at $4.3523 per $100 of assessed value.

The study session included 19 public comment cards. 17 spoke against lowering the levy.

Reaction to the vote

At the vote’s conclusion, shouts of frustration could be heard from the crowd.

Jeremy Winterrowd, a speaker and parent, said he wanted the decision left to voters.

“When it comes down to it, what I was arguing for was to let the voter decide; let’s take this back to the voter and let the voter decide,” Winterrowd said.

Two financial paths

The board considered two different financial paths. One option lowered the levy. The other kept the levy in place, leaving open the possibility of later asking voters to approve a no-tax-rate-increase transfer.

Dr. David Schmitz, superintendent, said the reduction applies to debt service, not operating funds.

“It’s really important to understand that the reduction in the levy was in debt service. And those are not operating funds,” Supt. Schmitz said.

Budget impact

In a financial presentation, district administration said they would need to continue reductions already included in this year’s budget if the levy is lowered. Their projections show the district’s balance falling below its 18% to 20% goal next year.

Matt Starnes, a former teacher and Lebanon graduate, said he wanted to see a plan before the vote.

“As a taxpayer, I would love to pay less. I think most of us would. But I would’ve liked to see a plan first. A plan for what they want to do instead,” Starnes said.

Community turnout

Starnes and Winterrowd both attended the meeting wanting to be heard.

“My goal with attending was just to make sure that if the vote didn’t change, at least they voted knowing full well how the community felt,” Starnes said.

“We were just hoping to really reach one board member, to see the side of the people that were there last night,” Winterrowd said.

Schmitz said he was encouraged by the turnout at the meeting.

“It was really encouraging to see so many of our patrons being engaged. I think that it’s important for community members to certainly know and understand school finance and be engaged,” Schmitz said.

The full meeting can be viewed here.

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