Coeur d'Alene School Board adopts budgets, begins levy talks

COEUR d'ALENE — Trustees of the Coeur d'Alene School Board adopted budgets and began talks of the next supplemental levy election Monday during a budget adoption and board workshop.

This year's amended $109,247,177 budget and proposed $107,274,030 2024-25 budget were both unanimously adopted.

The discussion then led to when the Coeur d'Alene School District should hold its next levy election and for what amount.

With March and August election dates eliminated by the Idaho Legislature, the school board must decide whether to hold the next levy election during the general election in November or the primary election in May.

"In the last general election in 2020, I think we had something like 95,000 voters that turned out for that election," said Coeur d'Alene School District Director of Community Relations Stefany Bales, who added that only about 25,000 voters turned out for the most recent primary election.

She said the next general election in November is also expected to have a high voter turnout.

Other positive aspects of a November levy election as presented by Bales are increased community visibility, cost efficiency and a more inclusive election that better reflects the broader community that may not typically participate in lower-profile elections.

A few negative aspects include ballot crowding, which entails voter fatigue and distraction from all of the issues; political climate, which may influence voter decisions on tax-related issues; and a robust investment in communications for a successful levy campaign.

All trustees leaned toward a November levy attempt.

"You have to take as many swings at it as possible," Trustee Jimmy McAndrew said.

He said a November election provides an opportunity to make adjustments if there is a second levy attempt.

"The upside of November far outweighs the downside of waiting until May, and I think this is going to be hanging over people's heads regardless of what happens, if it's on the ballot or not in November," McAndrew said. "I'd like the shot at having it be a one and done as opposed to just hanging out the entire year.

Some hesitation was expressed by Trustee Heather Tenbrink. 

"There's just a lot of other stuff happening in the November election," she said. "We're going to be at the bottom, right? You got to make sure people know to go all the way to the bottom of the ballot, because that's where we'll be."

McAndrew pointed out how tax levy rates are low while assessments are up.

"Most people's taxes are down on their property, so it's just a good time for this to be married with the fact that they've got lower taxes," he said.

Two amounts were floated for the next levy: $25 million per year, which is the current amount and would require a $750,000-per-year cost reduction; or $25.75 million per year, which would cover 3% inflation and would not require more cost reductions. Both of these amounts were estimated with a flat enrollment rate and funding to remain as it is this year.

It was estimated the $25 million-per-year levy would not increase property owners' yearly school tax amount, per Bales' presentation to the board. Taxpayer cost for the $25.75 million levy was estimated to be nominal. For a $560,000 home with a $435,000 taxable property value after the $125,000 homeowner's exemption, it was estimated the $409 school tax amount that homeowner paid in 2024 would increase by $12 to $421.

No formal levy decisions were made at the meeting. Discussions will continue at upcoming regular meetings at 5 p.m. July 8 and Aug. 12.