MHLT sets tax levy, budget for fiscal year 2025

The Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk School board of education set the district’s tax levy and budget for this fiscal year following a budget hearing and an annual meeting on Oct. 30.

District superintendent Dr. Jim Ellis told The Lakeland Times on Oct. 31 no other electors attended the afternoon meeting to authorize the levy and budget besides the board, school administration and staff. 

The tax levy totals $7,314,590.

Ellis said as a result, the mill rate is $1.75 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, which is 6 cents less than the previous fiscal year of $1.81.

The budget was set at a total of $11,185,198. 

Ellis indicated there were no major changes in the district’s budget, but noted two projects that were able to be finished.

“We just finished our parking lot project and we have a new annex building, and that took place over the course of two fiscal years (2023-24 and 2024-25),” he said. 

The parking lot project created a different traffic flow and an improved parking layout and the annex building now provides the school with additional storage, bathrooms and a new concession stand on the campus’ southeast corner. 

Overall, Ellis said, the budget process has been “great.”

“Obviously, we are a declining enrollment school district and I hope that turns around,” he said. “But again, it’s not just a Minocqua J1 issue, the housing is a severe problem up here in the Northwoods and that affects everyone. So, hopefully, in the future, we have more housing opportunities not only for employees, but for new families to move to our area.”

At the board’s Oct. 21 meeting, Ellis provided the board with annual student count numbers which are used to determine funding the district receives. At that meeting, he said he predicts the district will go to a referendum in a year or two if enrollment continues on a declining trend. 

“Yeah, I definitely see that,” Ellis told the Times again on Oct. 31. 

Trevor Greene may be reached via email at [email protected].