The Sweet Springs School Board dealt with mostly routine business in a short meeting held at the elementary school on August 21.

The longest discussion centered around the tax rate hearing and what the recently passed Senate Bill 711 actually meant.

"This has been somewhat problematical this year because of Senate Bill 711," he said.

According to Jones, it was first thought the bill meant that once a tax rate had been set "that was it."

"Until the last few weeks, most people thought 711 meant you set your tax rate now and that is what it is," he said. "That if you had a voluntary rollback you just gave it up."

For the Sweet Springs district, that rollback would mean giving up approximately 56 cents, between the $3.35 current tax rate and the $3.91 tax ceiling that has been voted by taxpayers.

However, Jones said in the last two weeks he has talked to a variety of people, including the senate staff member who actually wrote the bill, and was told it did not mean a permanent "giveaway" of the tax ceiling, but only meant for the 2009 year.

"This would be very harmful to the school district if we have to give away 56 cents forever, but we're not doing that" he said. "In 2010, if the need arises we can raise the levy back to what was voted for in 2006."

After discussion, Jones said he can't guarantee that "they won't change their mind," adding, however, "I think it is likely they will stick with what they are saying now," he said.

The board members asked several questions before voting unanimously with all members present, to keep the tax rate at the rolled back rate of $3.35, as Jones suggested.

"For the good of our taxpayers, we need to just need to leave it alone. Let's just hope to gosh that what they are telling us is right," said board member John Dohrman.

In other business, the board voted to prepay approximately $55,000 of debt service at Jones's suggestion.

"Basically, we have enough money to make an early payment," said Jones.

The board also approved a milk bid from Hiland Dairy, a bread bid from IBC and a fuel bid from MFA.

They also voted to purchase a new AgCo Allis lawnmower for the district from Hedgpath Ag. The mowing deck is 54 inches and will replace one of the district's current three mowers. That mower will be sold.

The next school board meeting was set for 7 p.m. on Sept. 10.

Contact Marcia Gorrell at marshallag@socket.net