2012-2013 Budget

 

Understanding New York's New Property Tax Levy Cap

Oct. 21, 2011

10 Fast Facts See 10 Fast Facts about the Tax Levy Cap

Regional publication Capital Region BOCES, in partnership with Questar III BOCES, has released the publication "Understanding New York's Property Tax Levy Cap As It Relates To Public Schools." Download full publication

Oct. 4, 2011 Board of Education hears tax cap, Race to the Top presentations learn more

Download the tax cap presentation (PDF) Download tax cap flyer – What do you need to know about New York’s Tax Cap? (PDF)

During the coming months, Mohonasen will begin the process of formulating a proposed spending plan for the 2012-2013 school year. For the most part, the school district budget development calendar will be similar to last year’s. However, the one dramatic change in the budget development process comes in the form of the state’s new tax levy cap legislation.

The law has been misconstrued and misrepresented in media sound bites as a “2 percent tax cap.” In fact, the law does not restrict any proposed tax levy increase to 2 percent. Instead, the law determines what level of support is needed for a school budget to pass. If the tax levy increase (before exemptions)is above the tax levy limit the support of a supermajority (60 percent) of voters would be required for budget passage. If the levy is within the limit, a simple majority is needed for budget approval.

Something to Keep in Mind

The tax levy is the total dollars that a school district collects from property owners within the district in order to balance its budget. The levy is determined after accounting for all other sources of income, including state aid. The tax rate is used to calculate what each property owner will pay in school taxes.

Some Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

How would you define “tax levy limit?”

Answer: For school districts, the “tax levy limit” is the highest allowable tax levy (before exemptions) that a school district can propose as part of its annual budget for which only a simple majority of voters (more than 50 percent) is required for budget passage. Any proposed tax levy amount above that limit requires budget approval by a supermajority (60 percent or more) of voters.

Essentially, the “tax levy limit” sets a threshold that requires districts to obtain a higher level of community support for a proposed tax levy above the “tax levy limit.” However, the new legislation does not place a limit on any taxes a school district would levy to pay for expenses related to specific “exempt” items, including some court orders, some pension costs and local capital expenditures. The costs of these exempt items are added to the “tax levy limit” to come up with the “allowable tax levy” limit.

It is important to note that:

• Tax levy limits will vary by school district;

• The new law does not limit an individual’s tax bill.

How is each district’s tax levy limit determined?

By law, each school district’s tax levy is determined by a complex, eight-step formula that was developed by the state. The formula takes into consideration a number of variables, including growth in the local tax base (if any), exemptions, the previous year’s tax levy, as well as the current and coming years’ PILOTs (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes). The rate of inflation or 2 percent (whichever is lower) is also part of the equation. Consideration is also made for any allowable “carryover” funds from previous years, as districts are allowed to “bank” some unused portions of their tax levy limits to use in future years (details on this are still emerging from the state).

Individual school districts will each have a unique tax levy limit, which must be submitted to the state by March 1 each year. Once the tax levy limit is determined, the district will then add coming school year’s exemptions to the tax levy limit, creating a “maximum allowable levy.” As a result, a district may actually propose a budget with a tax levy that is higher than its lax levy limit and still be within its “cap” under the law.

How does the new law take into account the fact that some expenses are currently beyond a school district’s control?

By allowing for exemptions. After a school district calculates its “tax levy limit,” it then adds exemptions into that amount, allowing a district to propose a tax levy greater than the amount set by the “limit” without triggering the need for approval by 60 percent of voters. These exemptions include:

• Voter-approved local capital expenditures;

• Increases in the state-mandated employer contribution rates for teacher and employee pensions that exceed two percentage points;

• Court orders/judgments resulting in any amount that exceeds 5 percent of a district’s current levy. However, tax certioraris are not exempt.

What will the new property tax levy law mean for MY tax bill?

That remains to be seen. First, the new law applies to the tax levy, not to tax rates or to individual tax bills. Second, it does not impose a universal 2 percent cap on taxes, or any other specific amount. The law does require a greater number of voters to approve a proposed budget that exceeds a school district’s individual “tax levy limit,” as calculated by a complex state formula. And third, there are several factors (assessments, STAR, equalization rates, etc.) that dictate how your school tax bill is calculated after the district sets the final tax levy; these factors are beyond the district’s control.

Do residents still vote on school district budgets?

Yes. Residents will still be voting on the district’s proposed spending plan on the third Tuesday in May. This year, the date is May 15. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Mohonasen High School. Under the new law, the level of voter approval needed to pass a budget will now depend on the amount of tax levy required under the school budget proposal.

If the district meets or stays below the “tax levy limit” threshold (before exemptions), it only needs a simple majority (more than 50 percent) of "yes" votes for budget passage/approval.

If the district goes beyond the “tax levy limit” threshold (before exemptions), it must secure support from 60 percent or more (a supermajority) of voters for budget passage.

How will I know if Mohonasen is proposing a tax levy above its “tax levy limit,” requiring 60 percent voter approval?

By law, any school district that proposes a budget that requires a tax levy (before exemptions) above its “tax levy limit” must include a statement on the ballot indicating this to voters. Information will also be available on the district website.

Are all the details of the new law finalized?

No. In this first year of the property tax levy cap, information about its provisions and implementation continues to evolve. We’re providing the information that we have available at this time. Mohonasen and other school districts across the state are now awaiting further clarification from the New York State Office of the Comptroller, the Department of Taxation and Finance, the New York State Education Department, the Division of the Budget and the governor’s office.

How can I get more information?

We will continue to post the most up-to-date information available on the district website. Information will also be sent out via SNN and Facebook.

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