Webster Groves staff outline 2026 tax-rate picture; board sets rate to submit to county

District staff walked the board through the state-required tax-rate process and the data from the St. Louis County assessor, reporting an assessed valuation for the Webster Groves School District of $1,359,380,000.

Jason Myers (Jacob Myers on the agenda, speaker 9) explained that, because 2026 is a non'reassessment year, values are relatively flat compared with the prior reassessment year and that new residential construction added roughly $4.6 million to the tax base. Staff recommended a residential tax rate of 3.6467 and a commercial rate of 4.2960; staff characterized the small residential rate decrease as a function of rising assessed values rather than a change in district revenue policy.

Myers presented an estimated tax revenue of about $52.8 million based on a 98% collection assumption; staff noted the district observed a lower collection percentage this past fiscal year (about 96.5%) and is seeking clearer data from the county. The presentation was informational; the board later voted during the regular session to approve the tax rate "as presented" and will submit the final rate to St. Louis County by Oct. 1 for certification.

Board members asked about the potential effect of voter measures such as Prop W and the district's reliance on county figures for final certification. The district reiterated that Prop W (if passed in November) would affect 2027 tax bills rather than the current year.