SD Senate OKs property tax levies bill for schools
PIERRE, S.D.—South Dakota senators have agreed on a bill that sets partial funding for public elementary and secondary schools from local property taxes.
The amount depends on the state's education budget, property values and student enrollment.
The full senate voted unanimously in the bill's favor on Tuesday.
Sen. Tom Hansen, its prime sponsor, says the bill would increase the levy for owner-occupied land and commercial property taxes paid in 2013 because the value of these two will increase, whereas the agriculture property tax levy would drop slightly.
He says student enrollment in public schools could increase by 1,600 next year.
A final modification of the levies could happen once state aid for schools is decided in the budget.
The bill next goes to the House for a vote.
