Property tax base fell from $172 million to $136 million; state hold-harmless funding is ending

What happened

At the August 19, 2026 meeting the business manager reported that the Mesa County property tax base for the district fell from $172 million to $136 million last year because of changes in the energy sector. The 2026 assessment comes in late August, and a final statement in November will inform a December mill levy vote and a January 2027 budget revision. The superintendent said early state projections for 2027-28 drop the 'hold harmless' protection that guarantees funding at past levels; the options are the same funding as 2025-26, a weighted average of past years, or 97 percent funding. The district reported FY26 revenue of $6.2 million, expenses of $5.1 million and $1.1 million added to reserves.

Why it matters to families

Less property tax and the end of guaranteed state funding could mean less money per year for a district with falling enrollment, even though reserves grew.

The evidence

The August 19 minutes record the tax base figures, the December mill levy timeline, the FY26 totals and the funding options for 2027-28.

The source