Cannon Falls board approves final revised fiscal 2025 budget; general fund balance edges up

The Cannon Falls School Board approved the district's final revised fiscal 2025 budget after a finance presentation showing a modest improvement in the general fund undesignated balance and positive moves in community education and food service balances.

Josh, the district finance presenter, told the board that cash balances peak in May–June as tax and bond proceeds arrive and that most final adjustments will be cleaned up during the audit in October. He said the general fund is showing a slight gain, moving undesignated fund balance to about 3.3 percent — an improvement from projections earlier in the year but not a large dollar change given the district's $50 million scale.

Josh said certain timing items affect cash flow: property tax receipts, bond sale proceeds for a roof replacement and resurfacing project, and debt service payments that include an interest‑only payment in August and a principal/interest payment in January. He also reported small positive movement in food service and community education, and he reiterated that community education is legally permitted to run a deficit while the district monitors it.

Board discussion touched on the progress of construction projects (CTE HVAC) and the district's debt service practice of setting levies to collect slightly more than needed (105 percent) to cover delinquencies. The board then voted to approve the final revised fiscal 2025 budget after a motion and second; the motion carried by voice vote.