Group opposed to levy hike meets Tuesday at library

Citizens Concerned About School Taxation will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Brainerd Public Library.

Brainerd School Board candidate forum planned Oct. 22

On Oct. 22 the community will have an opportunity to meet and hear from the five candidates competing for three seats on the Brainerd School Board.

The forum, sponsored by the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, Brainerd Lakes League of Women Voters and the Brainerd Dispatch, begins at 7 p.m. at the Brainerd High School Little Theater, 702 S. Fifth St., Brainerd. The format for the forum includes candidates responding to audience and media questions. A rebroadcast of the Candidate Forum will air on the local-access channel of Charter and CTC.

The Brainerd School Board election is Nov. 6.

Area districts going to voters for more money

Among the 100 school districts seeking support for an operating levy referendum are:

Brainerd, an increase from $199 per pupil to $987 per pupil.

Crosby-Ironton, an increase from $405 per pupil to $1,000 per pupil.

Onamia, an increase from $1 per pupil to $651 per pupil.

Pierz, an increase from $500 per pupil to $700 per pupil.

Wadena-Deer Creek, from $101 per pupil to $700 per pupil.

Walker-Hackensack-Akeley, a December referendum with the first question asking for an increase from zero to $500 per pupil and the second question asking for an increase from zero to $600 per pupil.

Property tax relief if operating levy passes?

A local certified public accountant recently informed Brainerd school officials about a few tax refund opportunities for taxpayers in the district if the operating levy referendum passes Nov. 6.

Minnesota has two property tax refund programs for homeowners: the regular property tax refund and the special property tax refund. Homeowners may be eligible for one or both, depending on income and the size of your property tax bill.

Homeowners may visit the Minnesota Department of Revenue Web site at www.taxes.state.mn.us to find out if they qualify for programs like the "Circuit Breaker" program, the senior citizen property tax deferral, the special property tax refund and other property tax deductions.

Steve Dickinson, director of business services for the Brainerd School District, told the school board Monday that all residents in the district likely would qualify for the special property tax refund next year if the referendum passes. According to the Department of Revenue Web site, there is no limit on household income for this refund. The net property taxes must have increased by more than 12 percent and be at least $100 over the previous year's taxes. The maximum special refund a homeowner can receive is $1,000. The refund is 60 percent of your property tax increase in excess of the greater of 12 percent or $100, according to the Web site. Property owners would need to fill out Form M1PR to find out if they qualify for any of these refunds.

Dickinson recommended property owners check out the Department of Revenue's Web site or contact their own accountant to find out if they qualify.