(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School board in a special meeting Monday morning approved a proposed 2025-26 budget for publication after deciding on a capital outlay levy.

Following discussion, the board voted 4-3 to go with budget containing a 6 mill capital outlay levy versus a lower alternate levy of 5.6 mills

Board member Griff Howard made the motion to go with the 6 mill levy, which was seconded by Ryan Patton.

Joining them in approving the motion were board members Roni Tietjens and Jacquie Spihlmann.

Board members Ian Schuetz, Mitch Brown and Brooklyn Schuetz cast the dissenting votes.

The 6 mill levy is expected to generate more than $900,000 in revenue for the capital outlay fund.

The capital outlay levy has historically been at 6 mills, but was lowered a few years ago to provide property tax relief to homeowners. Last year's capital outlay levy was 5.25 mills.

The proposed budget contains a total estimated tax rate of 49.7 mills, which is 1.3 mill levy increase over the 2024-25 levy and above the revenue neutral rate of 49.1 mills

There will be a special board meeting on September 8th at 5 p.m. in the Board of Education Office to allow patrons time to comment on the proposed budget prior to the revenue neutral rate hearing at 5:50 p.m. and official budget hearing at 5:55 p.m.