Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Long Range Facilities Plan. If you do not see the answer to your question, visit our Ask a Question page to submit your own.
How much is the Facilities Plan costing me?
Duluth taxpayers began paying for the Long Range Facilities Plan in January 2008 and have already absorbed virtually all of the expected tax increases needed to fund the Project. In other words, there are no large tax increases coming for the Long Range Facilities Plan.
The capital costs for the Facilities Plan are approximately $293 million, less than half of which is being paid for in new taxes. Operating efficiencies and the sale of some school properties also will make a significant contribution to the balance of the cost. This means that the community is funding less than half of the cost of the Project – $135 million – using new taxes.
In 2008 a home assessed at $125,100 paid about $9.10 per month for the Facilities Plan. After the first year, the increase is expected to average less than $0.25 per month on a home assessed at $125,100. These cost estimates take into consideration construction inflation and financing costs over 20 years.
Even after projected tax increases, Duluth school tax rates will still be lower than most non-metro communities.