September 8, 2026 Public Hearing Board Meeting

The Independence School District held a public hearing on September 8, 2026, regarding its proposed 2026 property tax levy. District staff explained assessed-valuation changes, debt-service obligations, the Hancock Amendment’s limits on valuation growth for existing properties, and the estimated effect of Senate Bill 190’s senior tax freeze. The proposed levy was $5.5009 per $100 of assessed valuation: $4.5891 for operations and $0.9118 for debt service. Staff attributed the operating-rate increase mainly to a decline in assessed valuation, including reduced commercial valuation following Jackson County’s 2025 cap. They estimated about $19 million in new-construction valuation and $885,000 in added property-tax revenue from that growth. The presentation estimated an annual increase of about $50 per $100,000 of home value, or $125 for an average $250,000 home.

A roll-call vote followed the presentation, with all listed members voting yes, although the transcript does not clearly capture the motion’s wording. The meeting transcript identifies no procurement activity, contract awards, vendor selections, or purchasing decisions.