Questions and Answers:

Download our Levy Fact Sheet
(PDF 90K)
What’s the difference between a bond and a levy?

Bonds finance capital projects (such as school construction or purchase of equipment) over a ~20 year period.   Levies are short-term, ranging from one to six years in length.   They are also specific in nature.  

Educational program and operations levies fund 18 % of the district’s annual budget.   They require approval every two to four years to sustain current educational programs and services for Auburn District students.   School bus (transportation) levies can only be used to purchase new school buses.

What does it mean when you say a bond or levy has expired or retired?

A levy expiring means the time frame for the tax collections are up.   A bond retiring means the debts have been paid off.

Does a home builder/developer pay any money to help schools?   What are Impact Fees?

Developers in King County and Auburn pay impact fees.   They are assessed on new construction to offset some of the costs of accommodating growth caused by the new construction.   Auburn School District has used these funds to purchase school portables and for the planning and design of new schools.  

Why does the district ask for voters’ approval for 18 percent of its operating budget?

Because the state underfunds school programs and services.   Some programs are not funded at all.   Levy funds pay for approximately half the cost of transportation operations and the entire cost of activity programs such as band, drama, debate, and all athletics.  

Why is the Educational Program and Operations levy called a replacement levy?

It is called a replacement levy because as one year’s tax expires, it is then replaced with the next year’s tax.   It is not a “new tax.”

Why should voters who do not currently have children in school support school levies?

The quality of a community’s schools is reflected in real estate value and quality of life.   The schools are the main indicator of a healthy community.  

If the replacement levy fails, will that money be refunded as a decrease in property tax to taxpayers?

No.   Only if a levy passes would tax money be collected, beginning next year.   When the levy is approved, property tax rates will decrease slightly.

What happens to levy collection rates when the community assessed value increases?

The levy generates a specific dollar amount and not a percentage of taxable property.   As assessed values of the community increases, the rate paid by individual tax payers decreases, so that total levy dollars remains constant.

Download our Levy Fact Sheet (PDF 300K)