If you caught the State Journal yesterday, you really couldn't miss the front page, full cover graphic showing the 2012 Madison assessment picture. Everyone believed that last year would be our last negative blip on the equalized valuation. Things had to tick upward...right?The Sun Prairie school district even "conservatively" used a figure of 0% change in the equalized valuation that may not have anything to do with the district tax levy, yet has EVERYTHING to do with effective (district-wide) mill rate.
Remember folks, that if spending remains the same as last year, and equalized valuation of district property also remains the same (0% growth), then the mill rate remains what it was last year. If spending remains the same and valuation drops 3 %, then the effective mill rate GOES UP 3%.
So let us take one little happy dream away from you. Do not think for one second that school district expenses will either drop or stay the same. They WILL spend more folks. District Administration was even nice enough to set aside 2% of this year's salary expenditures for raises next year!
Now...most of us (and the district too) are hoping that new construction such as the Woodman's will help push the equalized valuation of all real property above 0%. We can't say for sure that won't happen, but a big piece of the puzzle is in: Madison assessments. And it sure looks like the area of Madison which falls within the Sun Prairie School district (a significant chunk thereof) looks to be DOWN at least 4% and as much as -5.9%.
Ruh Roh, Raggy.
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