The Pattonville School District has estimated its 2009 residential tax rate at $3.6167 for the next school year. Although the estimated rate represents a 5 percent increase over the previous year, the majority of homeowners (more than 7 out of 10 residents or 71 percent) will see a reduction in their property taxes because of a decline in residential property values. Another 14 percent will see an average increase of $19 because of a very low change in the value of their property. To view a video about Pattonville's estimated tax rates, click here. -Read-More- The current school year’s tax rate is $3.4334 per $100 of assessed valuation and is nearly 57 cents below the St. Louis County average school district levy. State law allows for the recovery of lost tax revenue due to a reduction in assessed valuation, and school districts may levy up to an amount predetermined by voters – called a voter-approved maximum levy. The new estimated rate includes a 5-cent voluntary reduction in Pattonville’s tax rate from what it could legally levy. This voluntary reduction marks the fourth time in the last five years Pattonville has voluntarily reduced its residential tax rate. In addition, Pattonville has followed the state’s Hancock Amendment requirements for reducing its tax levy when property values increase. As a result, Pattonville has reduced its residential tax rate by 60 cents since 2004. The new estimated rate will also include an unchanged debt service levy of 49 cents, as promised to voters when they approved a zero-tax-rate increase bond issue in 2006. “We are sensitive to the economic situation facing our residents and are placing a priority on living within our means, while continuing to provide a quality education for our students,” said Chief Financial Officer Ron Orr. “The estimated rate will provide less than a one percent increase in revenue for our district over the previous year due to declining property values. Any new expenditures for the coming year will be offset by normal reductions in staff through retirements and resignations and by carefully monitoring our spending. We’ve planned for this and have reduced our expenditures for the next school year by $1.2 million through staff attrition. In addition, we're reducing other operating expenses by another $800,000 for a total reduction in spending of $2 million next year.” State law requires school districts to project an estimated non-binding tax rate before April 8 in order to provide taxpayers information on how changes in their assessed values affect their annual tax bill.  St. Louis County has indicated that it intends to mail residential changes of assessment, which will include taxpayer’s current and prior-year assessments and tax rates, by May 15. The notice will include a contact number for Pattonville.  A public hearing on next year’s tax rates for residential, commercial, agricultural and personal property will take place later this summer, at which time the actual 2009-2010 tax rates will be approved. These actual rates are subject to change because they are based on information currently unavailable from the county, including current personal property assessed values, as well as any reductions in real property assessed values resulting from property assessment appeals. Pattonville’s other estimated tax rates are as follows: $3.7346 for commercial property, $4.2955 for personal property and $4.4750 for agricultural property. -End-