By Allison Peck
North Platte Public Schools will hold a joint public hearing Wednesday evening on a proposed property tax increase as the district continues working toward its upcoming budget.
The hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. September 16 at the Mid-Plains Community College South Campus Theater.
The hearing comes as the school district considers several budget scenarios, with different levels of property tax revenue and district reserves.
During Monday's regular Board of Education meeting, district administrators presented multiple scenarios for the upcoming budget. The scenarios included different levels of district reserves and property tax requests.
The district is required to participate in the joint public hearing because one of the proposed tax request scenarios exceeds the taxing authority available to the district.
The board discussed the fact that the amount published for the hearing is not necessarily the amount that will ultimately be approved. Board members may vote for a lower property tax request when they approve the final budget.
The district's final tax request is expected to be set September 24, according to the board's discussion Monday night. The district must submit its budget to the state by September 30.
The proposed tax increase has prompted public discussion, including concerns from Board President Emily Garrick.
Garrick has publicly expressed opposition to an increase of this size, saying she believes the district needs to do more work on the expenditure side before asking taxpayers for additional money.
Other community members who spoke during Monday's public comment period discussed the district's financial challenges, including the impact of budget decisions on teachers, classroom sizes and school programs.
The district has cited declining state aid and increasing costs as financial challenges it faces while developing its budget.
Property owners who received pink postcards regarding the proposed increase are encouraged to attend Wednesday's hearing to learn more about the proposal and provide public comment.
The hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, September 16, at the Mid-Plains Community College South Campus Theater.