Dundee sets public hearing for tax break

DUNDEE--The Dundee school board agreed to set a public hearing for Wednesday, Nov. 5 to discuss the possibility of implementing a veteran's school tax exemption. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. and the board intends to decide the matter at their next board meeting Thursday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m.
School business official Melissa Lawson said the board first held a public hearing on the issue in February, adding the board was recently approached to revisit the proposal. Lawson previously said there are different degrees of qualifications for combat zone, non-combat and disabled veterans which result in different levels of exemption. She said approving the exemption would not affect the tax levy, but would require those who do not qualify for the exemption to pay a higher tax rate to make up the difference. Lawson said she predicts with the exemption, there will be a tax rate increase of 14 cents per $1,000 of assessed value for all those who are not exempt in the district.
In other business:
• Board member John Frederick said the district is still in talks with the town of Starkey and village of Dundee about the possibility of a shared services building. He said nothing has officially been decided regarding the matter.
• Superintendent Kelly Houck said the district still has enough money left over from a capital project fund voted on by the community five years ago to conduct another project. She said a field house project would be a possibility for a new project, adding they should have solid numbers for the cost of that potential project by Oct. 20. Houck said there would still need to be a public vote in March since the scope of the original project has changed, but added there would be no new money needed. She said preliminary plans would be for construction to begin in May and have the field house ready for use by next fall.