HANNIBAL, Mo. (KHQA) — The Hannibal School Board held a district tax rate hearing on Tuesday, August 20, to determine the tax rate for 2024. Several members of the public provided comments at the hearing, and the School Board itself also discussed and debated at length.

After almost an hour of discussion, the first motion was to leave the tax rate unchanged. The motion was rejected.

The next motion was aimed at abolishing the current tax levy. This motion was accepted, which will lead to an increase in the tax rate.

The previous tax was just over four dollars, but it will now rise to over four and a half.

If we look for the reason for the tax increase, we find it in the maximum tax rate, that is, the maximum amount that the tax can be. This figure increases from 3.0499 to 3.4921. This new figure, combined with the debt service rate of 1.1200, results in the tax being over four and a half.

Superintendent Susan Johnson pointed out that the school board has often provided tax cuts in the past, but is unable to do so this time due to the high costs.

“As expenses increase, this will allow us to continue to have the revenue we need to provide a high-quality education to our students,” Johnson said.

Johnson is convinced that while not everyone on the board and in the public will agree with the tax, it will eventually be accepted.

“While they don’t want tax increases, they know they are willing to pay those costs to ensure that students continue to receive a quality education,” Johnson said.

Final approval of the amendment is expected to occur by September 1, 2024.