How mill rates affect property taxes
In Kansas, property taxes are figured by taking the mill rate and multiplying by the taxable portion of the property's assessed value. In other words, the mill levy is the "tax rate" that applied to the value of your property. One mill is the equivalent of one dollar per $1,000 of assessed value.
The mill rate consists of a local portion — used to fund things like schools, the city pool construction, utilities, and other municipal services — as well as a state portion.
To determine how your property taxes are affected by mill rates, find the "appraised value" of your home on your notice of value from the county appraiser's office. Multiply the appraised value by the assessment percentage of 11.5 percent. The resulting amount is the "assessed value," or the amount multiplied by the mill rate to determine the taxes. In other words, a home with a value of $100,000 would be taxed on 11.5 percent of that value, or $11,500. That sum is then multiplied by the mill rates, both local and state, to figure the property taxes owed.
It is important to note that the assessed value of businesses is figured at a higher rate than the 11.5 percent for private homeowners.
With a zero-increase in the mill levy, the district is making a commitment of fiscal responsibility to voters. The district does not control property values, but the Board of Education is dedicated to completing the proposed projects without manipulating the portion of the formula that the district does control — the mill rate.
This page was last updated March 8, 2007.
