Election 2021: What’s On The Ballot In Stillwater

STILLWATER, MN — After more than six weeks of voting, the 2021 municipal election will come to an end when polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Voters in Stillwater will decide whether to authorize new two levies for Stillwater Area Public Schools.

The first ballot question asks voters to increase the district's operating levy by replacing an expiring levy with one that district officials have said would generate $2.7 million a year for the next decade.

Voters Guide To Stillwater Area Schools Ballot Questions

Property taxes would increase $77 per year on a home worth $350,000 if the new operating levy is approved, according to a tax impact chart on the district's website.

Voters in the Stillwater Area Public Schools district are also being asked to increase the district's capital projects levy to fund new classroom technology and infrastructure.

The new levy would generate about $4.7 million per year over the next 10 years, according to the district.

Property taxes would increase by about $138 annually on a $350,000 home if the new capital projects levy is approved, the district's tax-impact chart shows.

2 Stillwater Schools Removed From MDH Coronavirus Outbreak List

Officials said they plan to reduce other tax levies payable in 2022 if both levies are passed to offset a portion of the tax increases.

Here are the two questions on the ballot for Stillwater voters:

Question 1 — The board of Independent School District No. 834 (Stillwater Area Public Schools) has proposed to increase its general education revenue by $1,697.55 per pupil. A portion of this proposed new authority would replace the existing referendum revenue authorization of $1,307.55 per pupil which is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2021. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would increase each year by the rate of inflation and be applicable for ten years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 834 be approved?

Question 2 — The board of Independent School District No. 834 (Stillwater Area Public Schools) has proposed a capital project levy authorization in the amount of 4.001% times the net tax capacity of the school district. The proposed authorization will raise approximately $4,700,00 for taxes payable in 2022, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for ten (10) years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded by the proposed capital project levy authorization during that time period is approximately $47,000,000. The additional revenue from the proposed capital project levy authorization will provide funds for the acquisition, installation, replacement, support and maintenance of software, software licenses, computers, improved technology equipment, networks, infrastructure, and the costs of technology related personnel and training. If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the capital project levy proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 834 be approved?

Residents can find more information about the proposed levy here.

How To Vote

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Minnesota has same-day voter registration, which means you can register to vote at your polling place on Election Day.

Stillwater-Area Potbelly To Celebrate National Sandwich Day

Click here to use the Minnesota Secretary of State's Polling Place Finder.

Mail-in ballots will not count if they are received after Election Day.

Stillwater Patch will be providing live updates Tuesday night on results for the Stillwater Area Public Schools' proposed levies.