Lansing USD469 Bond Information Series:  Understanding the Financial Impact and Potential Tax Implications for a $400,000 Home

As shared in a previous bond information series post, school bonds are funded through a mill levy, which is applied to a property’s assessed value. Individual tax bills can vary based on property valuation, even when the mill levy itself remains unchanged.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, Lansing USD 469 worked with Raymond James Public Finance, an independent financial advisory firm, to model multiple bond scenarios and their potential tax impacts. These projections are based on current assessed valuation, interest rate assumptions, and state aid formulas.

What the Analysis Shows

Using Raymond James’ calculations, the district reviewed what the proposed bond would look like for a $400,000 home:

  • If only Question 1 (Base Facilities Package) is approved:
    The bond is structured to maintain the current mill levy. In this scenario, there would be no increase to the mill levy associated with the bond itself.

  • If both Question 1 and Question 2 are approved:
    The estimated impact for a $400,000 home is approximately $2.86 per month. Actual tax bills may vary depending on changes in property valuation over time.

It is important to note that the district sets the mill levy but does not determine individual property values. Property values are established by the county appraisal process. If a home’s appraised value increases, the total tax bill may increase even if the mill levy remains the same.

Community Feedback Shaped These Decisions

In December 2024, Lansing USD 469 conducted a randomized phone survey of registered voters. One of the strongest themes was tax sensitivity. Residents expressed support for addressing facility needs while minimizing tax impact.

That feedback directly influenced:

  • The size and structure of the proposed bond

  • The decision to separate projects into two ballot questions

  • The district’s focus on maintaining the mill levy where possible

The financial scenarios shared publicly reflect what the community indicated it could tolerate, based on survey results.

Learn More

All financial projections and assumptions are documented in the Raymond James analysis, which is available on the district’s bond information webpage. We encourage community members to review the full document and explore additional examples at different home values.

Our goal is to provide clear, factual information so residents can make an informed decision.