WARDEN — Warden school board members approved seeking a maintenance and operations levy, making cost per thousand as easy on their residents as possible.

“We really appreciate the fact that our voters supported our capitol project levy and the board believes we need to honor our tax payers for their support,” said superintendent Sandra Sheldon. “We are attempting to keep our tax rate as low as possible as a thank you.”

The levy for 2010-2011 is $927,000, with a $3.20 cost per $1,000 assessed valuation. This is the same cost as last year.

“Our biggest concern is the state budget and the deficit,” Sheldon said. “Even with that looming in our future, we are going to keep the tax rate as low as possible.”

The levy is increasing by 3 percent in 2011-2012. The levy total is $955,000 and charges $3.29 per thousand.

“It’s hard to predict three years out,” Sheldon said. “So we estimate the tax based on what our current tax base, which gives voters an idea they won’t have to pay more than that.”

Sheldon explained if there is an increase in the district’s tax base, the rate per $1,000 may decrease.

“This is a replacement levy and is vital to run our schools well,” Sheldon said. “It covers the costs of supplies, materials, some teaching staff, some athletics and extracurricular activities. It is ongoing.”

Sheldon said a capitol project levy covers facilities and construction only, while this levy deals with infrastructure costs, such as transportation.

“These are things not funded by the state that our local district has to come up with the funds for,” Sheldon said.

The maintenance levy is 9 percent of the district budget. If it passes, the district receives levy equalization dollars, another 9 percent of the budget total.

“If this doesn’t get passed we lose 18 percent of our local funds,” Sheldon said. “It is very important this levy continues to get passed.”