On May 19, 2025, the New Richmond Exempted Village School District Board of Education voted unanimously to put a 1.25 percent earned income tax on the November ballot. This webpage is designed to give our community a source of factual information and background on this initiative, which will be on the November 4, 2025 ballot.

In 2020, NREVSD passed a levy for the first time since 1977, highlighting the commitment of our community to providing quality education to our students. Unfortunately, just two years later, the abrupt closure of the Zimmer Power Plant delivered another blow to the district's financial outlook, reducing revenue by approximately $4 million per year, roughly 15 percent of the district's total revenue.

As the name suggests, only 'earned income' is included in an earned income tax. This means things such as wages, salaries and tips along with self-reported income will be part of the tax. However, earned income taxes DO NOT include things such as retirement income (like social security), interest, dividends, capital gains and unemployment benefits. Property taxes are separate and do not change with income tax levies.

With prices rising and homeowners throughout the district dealing with rising costs elsewhere, NREVSD took this step to provide adequate funding without putting an undue burden on the community. The levy would generate approximately $5.2 million annually which, when coupled with additional tweaks to spending, would allow the district to continue to operate at current spending levels without overfunding the district.

It typically takes three fiscal years for income tax revenue to completely phase in, so the effect will not be immediate on the District’s revenues. Fiscal Year 2028 will be the first year with full revenue collections.

NREVSD will be required to cut approximately $2 million from next year's budget. The specifics of those cuts has yet to be determined.