‘We are proud of this budget’: LPS raises spending by $20 million but lowers tax levy

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Lincoln Public Schools board members discussed a $20 million budget increase on Tuesday.

The new budget would bring the district’s total spending to nearly $560 million for the 2025-26 school year.

Most of the increase will pay for salary and benefit boosts for staff.

But while it sounds like an added burden to the taxpayer, it won’t actually amount to much for the average homeowner.

“We are proud of this budget, and we will work our hardest to make sure it continues this way,” board member Annie Mumgaard said.

Property values have been going up, with an estimated average increase of $20,000 in Lincoln this year, and the district also got a boost in state funding.

That’s allowing LPS to lower its tax levy from $1.11 to $1.04.

The owner of a $311,000 home, the average price in Lincoln, would see about an $8 increase what they pay to LPS this year.

SEE ALSO: Lancaster County assessor defends rising property valuations

Mumgaard said the district tries to keep homeowners in mind when they create these budgets.

Since the budget directly affects taxpayers, the district wants to hear the community’s opinion.

“We are making the budget that educates the children of this city,” Mumgaard said. “Our goal is to be building the best future citizens we can, and we have to do it in the best way we can with what’s available to us. And I think this year, we really nailed it.”

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