**The Detroit Lakes School Board has approved a property tax levy of nearly $10 million for the 2025 fiscal year, marking a 3% increase from the previous year.**
During the Dec. 16 meeting, the board held a truth-in-taxation public hearing, after which they unanimously approved the certification of the property tax levy without further discussion.
The proposed payable 2025 levy is $9,953,011, an increase of $280,000 from the previous year.
Factors contributing to this increase include a rise in local optional revenue due to higher property values within the district and prior-year adjustments to account for differences between initial estimates and actual numbers.
Local optional revenue, part of the general fund used for operating expenses, grew by approximately $60,000.
Additionally, the district qualified for roughly $50,000 in local optional revenue and state aid in 2024.
However, for 2025, the district won’t qualify for any aid, resulting in a net effect that is almost equal.
Prior-year adjustments accounted for an increase of around $50,000, contributing to the levy increase.
The board had previously approved the preliminary levy certification in September.
At that time, Jason Kuehn, the district’s director of finance and operations, noted that the 3% increase was the “least amount of increase” since he began his role approximately four years ago.
The board’s decision reflects a commitment to balancing the district’s financial needs with the community’s economic realities.
The approved levy will support various educational programs and operational expenses for the upcoming fiscal year.
Community members are encouraged to review the district’s budget and financial plans, which are available on the Detroit Lakes Public Schools’ official website.