(KNZA)--The Prairie Hills USD 113 Board of Education has approved for publication a proposed 2018-19 budget of $16.9 million that calls for a property tax levy decrease.

The Board of Education took the action during a special meeting last Friday.

The proposed budget calls for the school district to collect more than $5.6 million in local taxes.

Superintendent Todd Evans says a year ago the Board had the wisdom to extend the flexibility of the local option budget from 30 percent to 33 percent.  He says because of the difference in state aid for the LOB and capital outlay, they are proposing to reduce their capital outlay mill levy and increase the LOB from last year.

Evans says that results in a reduced mill levy rate from last year, but allows the district to pick up more than $57,000 in state aid they wouldn't have been eligible to receive under the previous resolution.

Because of two separate bond issues before consolidation, USD 113 has two different mill rates depending on the location of property.  

Those in the former 441 will see a decline of 4-tenths of a mill for a total proposed mill levy of 47.56, which includes the mandatory 20 mills for state aid.

Those in the former 488 will see a decline of 2.3 mills for a total proposed mill levy of 46.204 mills.

Evans added they are planning on this being the final year they levy a tax on the former 488 for bond and interest.   It will be paid off a year, saving $4,800 in interest costs for those patrons.  
   
The USD 113 Board will consider adoption of the budget during a special meeting the evening of August 22nd at 6:00 at the district office in Sabetha.