OTTAWA– OTTAWA — The Ottawa school board approved a small increase in the property tax mill levy rate during their regular meeting Monday night. The district has lost 1.71 percent in its valuation and there are some large property tax abatements that are awaiting approval in Topeka that will be deducted from the valuation, Supt. Jeannie Stroh said. The district is facing additional expenses, including the need to add another kindergarten class and teacher, sharing the costs of a new school resource officer, and an increase in the district’s insurance premiums, she said. She recommended, and the board accepted, an increase of 1.28 mill. One of the large pending property tax exemptions is Astro Tech Covers, which moved to Ottawa after their plant in Garnett burned. The increase brings the school mill levy total to 60.445 mills for the 2013-2014 school year.
Monday, July 22, 9:45 p.m.; updated Tuesday, July 23, 4 p.m.
