Board of Education approves property tax rate reduction

In a move aimed at balancing fiscal responsibility with support for staff and students, the Board voted unanimously to approve a reduced property tax rate for 2025.

The rate will decrease from 66.8 cents per $100 of assessed value to 65.5 cents — marking one of the largest tax rate reductions the district has implemented in recent years.

Finance Director Aleisha Ellis outlined the context and implications of the new rate. She explained that although the district adopted a 4% increase in revenue — not in tax rate — earlier in the budgeting process, they were able to propose a lower property tax rate thanks to careful financial planning and surplus funds from the previous fiscal year.

FY 2025-2026 Tax Revenues & Expenses

That surplus, combined with a strategic realignment of spending and staff compensation adjustments already in effect, helped offset budget increases — including an $866,000 revenue target and a $991,000 cost associated with salary raises. Salaried staff received a 2% increase, while hourly employees saw an 85-cent per hour raise.

Despite the reduction in the tax rate, the district is still facing financial pressures, including inflation and the loss of nearly $136,000 in federal grants, which has already led to a few eliminated positions.

“We’re managing inflation just like our community members are,” Ms. Ellis noted, citing a 5% increase in utility costs alone.

Board members discussed the importance of maintaining contingency reserves, with Ellis reporting a current contingency of 7.7% — above the state-required minimum of 2%, but below the ideal 10–15% that would cover three months of expenditures.

Board vice chair Dr. Dora Hall expressed her appreciation for the salary increases, stating, “It’s my belief that taking care of our staff helps them take better care of our kids... it’s amazing what they do.”

The board officially adopted the following rates:

• Real and Personal Property Tax Rate: 65.5

• Motor Vehicle Rate: 53.5

• Utility Rate: 3%

“This is a meaningful reduction,” said Ms. Ellis, “and it's one of the largest we've done in a long time.”

The Clark County Board of Education will continue to examine our budget and be fiscally responsible to the taxpayers.