HOLYROOD — Taxpayers in the Central Plains USD 112 School District shouldn’t notice much of an increase in property taxes this year despite school officials seeing a dip in taxable property values. Board members unanimously

Board members unanimously approved the district’s 2020-2021 financial plan during their budget hearing Monday night.

Superintendent Greg Clark walked the board through the budget plan, explaining key points, including the proposed mill levy, potential revenue and cash reserves. Clark explained how this year’s mill levy was estimated at 41.739 mills — a difference of about .85 of a mill from last year. Property tax rates are based on mills and assessed through a mill levy. One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. However, the mill levy is subject to change slightly depending on final assessed valuation figures.

Clark said he was pleased with keeping the overall mill levy nearly flat, especially since assessed property values were expected to trim $2 million from the district’s general fund and $1.8 million from capital outlay.

The district’s estimated operating budget was set at $5.04 million, a figure not only based on student enrollment numbers, but allows for additional funding for at-risk students, as well as those enrolled in career technical education, special education, virtual learning or need transportation to and from school.

Unlike other years, Clark noted was how the district started the current fiscal year July 1 with larger unencumbered cash balances in several funds, including capital outlay, food service and student at-risk funding. Having more cash carryover, he said, will set the district up to have a better year.

“That’s exciting,” Clark said. “I feel like we turned a corner a little bit ... that we’re not necessarily living paycheck to paycheck, so to speak, but we’ve made some good quality gains.”