The Perry School Board revealed their preliminary budget proposal for fiscal year 2021 at their most recent meeting, and it had welcome news for residents.

Superintendent Clark Wicks says typically the key figure in the budget the public wants to know is the property tax levy rate, and he’s happy to report it has once again decreased from the previous year. The proposed levy is $20.54 per $1,000 of taxable value, which is still one of the highest in the state, though it’s an overall decrease of 26-cents. Wicks says it’s been a priority of the District to make taxes manageable for residents, so he feels the levy decrease is welcome news. “Right now it looks great, we’re doing our best to make sure that the taxes stay down. I think it’s maybe the second or third year that we’ve reduced taxes. So we want to be good stewards of the tax dollars that we receive, and again providing a great education with that. So (a) 26-cent reduction in the tax rate.”

Wicks adds, the budget process took longer this year as the Iowa Legislature was about three weeks late on passing the state supplemental aid for the year. He says the District had a good estimate of the final figure, so they were able to work on a preliminary budget prior to the SSA approval. However, Wicks says everyone was relieved when it did pass so they knew for sure what they were working with. The Board will hold a public hearing at their regular meeting on April 13th to formally present the budget, and it will be considered for certification at that time.