Jessamine school board keeps 2026 property tax rate steady

casey.roberts@bluegrassnewsmedia.com

The Jessamine County Board of Education voted Aug. 28 to set the 2026 property tax rate at 67.8 cents per $100 of real property value, keeping the rate the same as 2025.

The decision came following a public tax hearing. Officials said that while the rate will remain unchanged, individual tax bills could increase if property values rise, just as in any other year.

According to the district, maintaining the current rate is necessary to keep pace with rising costs and to protect the school system's financial stability. The district's fund balance — essentially its financial cushion — has decreased steadily over the last three years due to salary increases to retain staff, investments in mental health resources, expanded school safety measures, and higher operating expenses such as insurance, utilities and transportation.

For example, district data shows property, auto and general liability insurance costs grew from $594,674 in fiscal year 2023 to a projected $1,049,558 in fiscal year 2026. Utility expenses climbed from $1.56 million in 2021 to more than $2 million in 2025. The cost of a new bus rose from $115,695 in 2023 to a projected $162,196 by 2026.

Officials said that for the 2025–26 school year, Jessamine County Schools cut six district positions and reduced departmental budgets by more than $200,000, producing savings of $530,000 to date. Even so, the district expects to generate an additional $350,000 in revenue under the current tax rate due to reassessed property values.

Kentucky law allows citizens to petition for a recall of the tax rate under certain circumstances. If a petition were successful, the rate would revert to the compensating rate plus 4 percent, which would amount to a $6 decrease per $100,000 of property value compared with the adopted rate.

If a special election were required, the cost to the district and taxpayers is estimated between $80,000 and $100,000. An additional $20,000 would be needed for a second tax bill mailing if the board's decision were upheld.

District leaders said the additional costs would directly affect the general fund, reducing money available for staffing, programs and classroom resources.

Superintendent Sara Crum and Chief of Finance Jason U'Wren encouraged residents with questions to contact them directly or visit the district's website for more information.