School District of River Falls Property Tax Information Site

This site provides information for taxpayers of the School District of River Falls regarding how the district's proposed bond referendum will affect their property taxes. The site was prepared by the school district's financial advisors, Ehlers. If you have questions about the information on this site, you may call Ehlers at the phone number listed below.

About the Referendum

The district will be holding a bond referendum with three separate questions on November 8, 2011, seeking voter approval to issue bonds. Each of the three referenda questions addresses different needs of the District. If all three questions are approved, the referendum would authorize the district to issue $38,395,000 in general obligation bonds.

Question 1 authorizes the issuance of bonds in an amount not to exceed $19,050,000 to finance the cost of District wide (excluding the Academy Building) improvements in safety and security systems, indoor air quality, energy efficiency, accessibility, and technology and to address deferred maintenance.

Question 2 authorizes the issuance of bonds in an amount not to exceed $15,975,000 to finance the cost of constructing and equipping classroom and cafeteria additions at the Greenwood, Rocky Branch, and Westside Elementary schools; and remodeling and improving science and team areas at Meyer Middle School.

Question 3 authorizes the issuance of bonds in an amount not to exceed $3,370,000 to finance the cost of improving, renovating and remodeling the Academy Building, including technology, safety and security systems, indoor air quality, energy efficiency and accessibility; and deferred maintenance.

The proposed bond issue will be repaid over 17 years, 2 months, affecting property taxes beginning with taxes payable in 2013 through 2029. To estimate the tax impact of the proposed bond issue on your 2013 taxes, follow one of the options below.

Before you Begin

Before you begin, we suggest that first you find your most recent tax bill. It is titled "State of Wisconsin Real Estate Property Tax Bill for 2010", mailed by your local municipality in December of 2010.

The tax impact of the proposed bond issue will begin with the 2012 (payable in 2013) property taxes, which will be based on the 2012 total assessed value of your property. Since the final 2011 or 2012 assessments are not available at this time, you will use the 2010 property values to estimate the tax impact on your property.

To estimate the tax impact, we will be using the total estimated fair market value of your property from your State of Wisconsin Real Estate Property Tax Bill for 2010. You will find your fair market value listed as "Total Est. Fair Mkt." on your tax bill. Please note that we will not be using the "Total Assessed Value", which is also included on your tax bill.

Located in the upper half of your Real Estate Property Tax Bill for 2010, you will find several rows of property values that appear as follows:

For some types of property, the tax bill does not list a Fair Market. It only states the Assessed Value. If part of your property is classified as "Agriculture" or "Agricultural Forest", you may see the words "Use Value Assessment" listed in the Fair Market Value section of your tax bill. If your tax bill does not have a value listed under "Total Est. Fair Mkt.", follow Option 3 below.

Option 1: Use the Tax Impact Chart

You can use the following chart to get a quick estimate of the tax impact on your property. Locate the equalized, or market, value of your property as listed under "Total Est. Fair Mkt." value on your tax bill. Simply find the value in the left hand column of the chart that best approximates the fair market value of your property.

Option 2: Use the Ehlers Tax Calculator

For a more precise estimate of the tax impact, enter the equalized, or market, value (labeled "Total Est. Fair Mkt." on your tax bill). Enter this value below to see the estimated tax increase for your property.

Option 3: Let Ehlers Calculate the Tax Impact for You

Contact Ehlers' Property Tax Hotline (1-800-552-1171) if you would like us to calculate the tax impact on your property, or if your tax bill does not have a value listed under "Total Est. Fair Mkt." on your State of Wisconsin Real Estate Property Tax Bill for 2010. Please have your 2010 tax bill available when you call. Call during regular business hours and ask to speak to any member of the Education Team. Ehlers will provide you with an estimate of the tax impact on your property.

All property tax impact calculations are estimates.

Property tax impact calculations of the referendum are estimates for the initial year of this bonded debt only, and do not included tax levies for other purposes. The actual tax amount associated with the successful passage of this referendum will vary based on the following factors:

• Actual debt costs, determined at the time of the bond sale.
• Actual level of state aid that the District's debt service qualifies for as certified by the State in October of each year.
• Actual assessed value of your property.
• Actual property valuation and tax rate within the resident municipality.
• School levy credits applied to the tax impact (not included in tax impact estimates).
• Changes in assessed values of other property in the municipality.
• Changes in equalized values of properties in the municipalities located within the school district boundaries.

Deductibility of Property Taxes for State and Federal Income Taxes

If you itemize deductions for federal income taxes, you may deduct property taxes paid. Therefore, any increase in property taxes resulting from the proposed bond issue will reduce your income tax liability.

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