What is a Mill Levy Override?
A Mill Levy Override (MLO) is a voter-approved property tax that adds mills to a property tax bill. A school district MLO provides additional funding beyond what the state allocates. MLO funds support operational costs such as teacher salaries, student programs, technology, and other essential services.
In this case, the school will use the MLO for staff compensation.

How much will the Mill Levy Override be?
10-mills which equates to $600,000.

What will the $600,000 be used for?
Atrract and retain teachers and staff. The graph below shows how Mancos School District (MSD) compares with surrounding districts:

If the mill levy override passes, will it sunset?
No. This ensures sustainability for staff compensation.

Does MSD currently have an MLO?
Yes. MSD currently has a 1.03-mill MLO that generates approximately $58,000 per year, which is primarily allocated for technology needs.

Why can’t MSD use other funding sources like Cortez?
Cortez has a 12:1 property tax revenue advantage over Mancos, but only a 5:1 student population ratio. MSD cannot rely solely on local property taxes and must pursue multiple funding strategies, including state and federal grants.

How much will the MLO Cost a Property Owner?
The MLO is estimated to cost $23.70 a month for a $400,000 home value.

Have cost efficiences been maximized across the district?
MSD has a strong record of financial stewardship, including:
> Increasing fund balances from $1.7 million to $3.1 million in four years.
> Raising teacher salaries by 18.25% over three years without a tax increase.
With limited increases in state funding that do not keep pace with inflation and the rising costs of educational services, healthcare, competitive salaries, and nearly all other expenses, the school district is actively seeking additional funding initiatives.

Arguments for:

• By increasing staff pay, the district is more competitive and can retain and attract quality staff.
• Revenue generated from the mill levy override goes directly to the school district.
• When voters approve a mill levy override, you are directly investing in Mancos Schools, showing strong support for quality educators, staff, and quality education.
• This commitment helps address funding gaps caused by limited state funding increases.

Arguments against:

• Not a good time
• Increase tax burden on property owners