September 21, 2026 at 5:15 PM - ESU 7 Budget Hearing
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1. Call the Meeting to Order
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
LEADERSHIP • SERVICE • SUPPORT Notice of this meeting was given in advance according to State Law 84-1411, by giving notice of the meeting to the public on ESU 7 website www.esu7.org and posted at location of meeting. Notice of this meeting was also given in advance to all members of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7. Availability of the agenda and purpose of the hearing was communicated in the advance notice of the meeting and in the notice to the members of this hearing. All proceedings of the Board of Education of Educational Service Unit 7 were taken while the convened hearing was open to the attendance of the public.
Discussion:
Board President Dawn Lindsley called the meeting to order at 5:15 PM.
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1.1. Notification of Open Meetings Law
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
This meeting has been preceded by reasonable advance notice and is hereby declared to be in open session. A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the meeting room. |
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1.2. Roll Call
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
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2. Public Comment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Rationale:
The Board has the discretion to limit the amount of time set aside for public participation.
Citizens wishing to address the Board on a certain agenda item must complete the Request to be Heard Document prior to the start of the board meeting. Citizens wishing to present petitions to the Board may do so at this time. However, the Board will only receive the petitions and not act upon them or their contents. |
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3. Budget Hearing
Rationale:
Chief Administrator Marci Ostmeyer reviewed the attached 26-27 Budget Hearing Document
Discussion:
Administrator Ostmeyer stated ESUs are required by law to hold a budget hearing and tax asking. She presented an overview of the proposed budget which included a comparison with the prior year's budget.
The valuations came in below the initial estimate but it was still a growth from the previous year. The property tax required is determined by multiplying the valuation by a cent and a half. Board Member Richard Stephens - When were these numbers determined? Administrator Ostmeyer - Estimations began months prior but valuations were provided on August 20th and the committee solidified amounts following the valuations. Board Member Richard Stephens - With the rising cost of gas, does that have any effect on the numbers presented? Administrator Ostmeyer - Some, the mileage rate was set July 1st and approved by the board in August so it was taken into consideration. When grant personnel drive ESU 7 vehicles, that money is paid from the grant and not the levy. |
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4. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Board President or Designee
Discussion:
Board President Dawn Lindsley adjourned the meeting at 5:26 PM.
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