Prescott Levy Goes to Voters

PRESCOTT – Voters residing in the Prescott School District will be asked to approve a two-year replacement maintenance operations levy, in the amount of $650,000 each year, in the Feb. 9 special election.

The rate per $1,000 for the proposed 2016-17 and 2017-18 levy is estimated to be $1.92, which is down $0.41 from the 2014 rate of $2.33 per $1,000, due to an increase in property valuation. Levy funds support programs not covered under the basic education act as defined by the state legislature. The proposed levy will fund the following programs:

Technology equipment and software upgrades, as well as staffing and training, are estimated at $78,000, which is $37,500 short of what is funded.

Unfunded curriculum needs of $30,000.

Food services expenses of $310,579 are partially funded at $242,824, leaving a shortage of $67,755. Numbers are based on 2014-15 funds and expenditures.

Extracurricular athletic and academic programs, activity buses, transportation costs, and athletic director costs are estimated at $205,442.

Maintenance of plant facilities, salaries, and rental housing of $137,066.

Non-employee related costs such as insurance, utilities, etc. of $156,848.

The new Career and Technology Education program is partially funded, with a shortage of $15,389.

According to numbers taken from the 2015 Walla Walla County Assessment Guide, Prescott’s taxpayer cost per thousand for school levies (including M&O levy, bond, debt service, etc.) is the lowest among neighboring districts including College Place, Columbia-Burbank, Dixie, Touchet, Waitsburg and Walla Walla. Touchet is the highest at $6.06/$1000 while Prescott ranks lowest at $3.15/$1,000.

The levy requires a simple majority of 50% plus one vote for approval. Ballots will be mailed out on Jan. 21 and must be mailed or returned to a drop box on or before Tues., Feb. 9. Senior citizens may be eligible for an exemption for all or part of levy taxes if certain criteria are met. Voters should call the Walla Walla or Columbia County Assessor’s Office for details.