Mid-Prairie approved the 2020 fiscal year budget which maximizes funds towards the debt levy, while decreasing property taxes. In the fiscal year 2019, the board voted to allocate an additional $305,000 towards their debt levy from a $10.6 million bond from 2014. This choice will save the district $96,075 in interest. This year due to rising property values in the area, the district is able to raise that number to $545,000 and save an additional $170,100. The budget that was presented will have property owners pay a rate of $13.25 per $1,000 of taxable value, a 25-cent decrease from last year.

Board President Jeremy Pickard gave praise to Business Manager Jeff Swartzentruber and his team for how they handle the district’s finances, “I will say, I think you guys do a really nice job of managing our financial situation in the moment, but also do a really nice job of looking down the road. This is one of those deals where you’re looking down the road and trying to look out for us. I just want to say kudos to you.”

Swartzentruber added that with the additional funds going towards the principal of the debt levy, the district is also cutting off one full year of principal. The board approved the budget unanimously.