Willmar School Board Approves 2.19% Levy Increase for 2026

The Willmar School Board has approved a 2.19% increase to the 2026 payable levy, raising the total amount to $12,641,117.36 from the previous year’s $12,369,698.67. This decision, made during a recess of their regular meeting on December 8, 2025, reflects the district’s financial strategy, which is influenced by local property values and student enrollment rather than a fixed budget.

The board’s unanimous vote followed the truth-in-taxation meeting, where Kathryn Haase, Business and Finance Director for Willmar Public Schools, provided a presentation delivered by Dr. Bill Adams, the district superintendent. Haase was unable to attend, but her insights were crucial for understanding the motivations behind the levy increase.

Details of the Levy Increase

The approved 2.19% increase translates to an additional $271,418.69 for the district’s levy. This adjustment is primarily driven by an increase in local property values, which have risen by approximately 5.4% according to Haase’s presentation. The state formulas and tax policies determine how levies are calculated, leading to changes in state aid and local funding responsibilities.

The levy that was certified for 2025 will be utilized as revenue in the school fiscal year 2027, creating a three-year cycle of financial planning. This means that taxpayers will contribute to the 2025-26 budget through the levy set this year.

Budget Overview and Funding Sources

For the 2025-26 school year, the district anticipates total revenue of $85,862,862, with 84.65% allocated to the general fund, which covers most operational costs, including salaries and wages. Notably, local sources, including the new levy, account for 13.43% of the general fund revenue, while state contributions provide a substantial 83.56%.

The district’s planned expenditures for the upcoming school year total $88,340,558, and 83.96% of this amount will be drawn from the general fund. In the breakdown of expenditures, salaries and wages represent the largest portion at 58.21%, followed by employee benefits at 19.02%. When categorized by program, regular instruction constitutes 41.78% of general fund spending, with special education accounting for 22.34%.

For further details regarding the meeting or to access minutes and agendas from previous sessions, interested parties can visit the Willmar Public Schools website and navigate to the School Board section for the 2025 meetings at willmar.k12.mn.us.