Hickman Mills and Grandview school districts hold tax levy hearings for the public tonight

By Kathy Feist

Today, two area south KC school districts will hold public tax levy hearings in the wake of reduced funding from the county.

Both the Hickman Mills and Grandview school districts are set to hold public tax levy hearings Thursday. 

The Hickman Mills’ hearing starts at 5:45 pm at the Administration Center, 5401 E 103 St.  

The Grandview School District Board Meeting will start its hearing at 6:15 pm at the Board of Education Room at 13015 10th St. 

Hickman Mills is proposing a $5.3517 Operating Levy for the upcoming 2027 fiscal year, an increase of 30 cents over 2026. That translates into a $1,016.82 tax for a $100,000 property, an increase of $57 over last year. (See the school’s levy presentation here.) 

The overall tax levy, which combines the Operating Levy and Debt Services Levy, will stay the same rate ($6.1517) as the previous year, thanks to a voter-approved levy transfer. In April, voters approved a 30 cent transfer from Debt Services to the Operating Levy. As a result, the Operating Levy grew from $5.0517 to $5.3517 while the Debt Services Levy decreased from $1.10 to 80 cents. 

The transfer was intended to generate an extra $2 million in revenue for the upcoming year. However, based on county property valuation projections for the taxed area, that number will most likely decrease, according to the district’s tax levy presentation.   

Grandview is proposing a $4.4018 tax levy for 2027, a nearly 12 cent tax increase over the 2026 Fiscal Year ($4.2834). For a $100,000 property, the tax would equal $836.34, a $22.49 increase. (See the school’s rate presentation here.)

Similar to Hickman Mills, Grandview transferred the 11 cents from Debt Services to its Incidental (Operating) Fund. The transfer keeps the overall tax levy–the combined amount– at the same rate as last year ($5.6500).

Though the school districts’ overall rates stay the same, property owners are taxed the Operating Levy rates. 

Center School District will hold its tax levy hearing on September 28. 

Both public hearings can be attended in person. Hickman Mills also offers a Zoom link.