School Asks For Support On Feb. 9 Ballot

It’s an issue not seen often on an election ballot: a question asking you to vote on restructuring bonds when a school district will actually be lowering your taxes.

Farmington School District voters will see a requested restructure of existing bonds on their ballots in February, and also see a lower millage that goes to Farmington School District due to a rollback produced by assessment growth. We had the opportunity to request from voters that we continue at the same millage rate, but the board and I felt like if we can create the construction money we need right now and lower taxes for our citizens, why wouldn’t we?

There may be a time down the road, as we continue growing, we will need community support for a millage to build new campuses and provide additional raises for staff. The district wants to take advantage of an opportunity to help our people and community and build the additional facilities we need.

We feel a combination of a few things led to the district being able to offer the millage decrease.

Farmington has had great leadership by our city council, mayor, and board of education, that combined with lower interest rates presented an opportunity for restructuring existing bonds. A mill levy is the tax rate levied on your property value. One mill represents 1/10 of a cent. So, for $1,000 of assessed property value, one mill would be equal to $1.

If voters approve the new lower millage rate and authorize the bond restructure, the district will be able to continue growing and address our space constraints. The district applied for additional funding from state partnership funds and will find out if the state will “chip in” construction funds in early Spring. By taking advantage of historically low interest rates now, combined with the growth in assessment, the district will be able to build new facilities. Facilities needed due to consistent student growth include a new junior high addition and two elementary expansions.

Voters will see the restructure request on their ballots Feb. 9.