Property taxes are poised to rise in St. Paul in 2015, and for many homeowners, the bite could be significant.
So, the school board asked district administrators recently for a report on what services could look like if the district's tax levy were flat, as opposed to the 1 percent increase proposed in September.
That report was presented to board members this week, and it showed the district hiring fewer new teachers, librarians and nurses, and potentially pulling back on some elementary school repairs -- all to help the average homeowner save $8.86 compared with what he or she would see under a 1 percent levy hike proposal.
Board Member Jean O'Connell, who's professed a desire to keep the levy flat, then was put on the spot by colleague John Brodrick, who asked her if she'd seen enough to conclude: "We can't go to 0 (percent)."
No, O'Connell replied, she had seen projections of total tax bills at a recent meeting of school district, city and Ramsey County officials, and will withhold judgment on the district's levy until property owners get a look at the potential damage in Truth in Taxation statements being mailed next month.
"(Some) people are going to be hit hard," she said. "I just think we need to have a lot broader conversation."
St. Paul homeowners can expect to see their statements about Nov. 17.
