The district has been working on a long-term budgeting strategy to maintain facilities, offer competitive pay and benefits, and improve academics and student and employee accountability through data and employee professional development.

Despite the decrease in this year's tax rate, Nebo School District will still get almost $6 million more in revenue than last year.

Last year, property taxes provided $34.3 million; this year it will provide $40.2 million, district business administrator Tracy Olsen said.

The state helps the district compensate for its relatively small property tax revenue. But because the higher valuations, Nebo will lose $1.7 million in state money.

"If the district collects more money locally, the state puts in less," Olsen said.

About $2 million in new money will be used to pay off bond debt, he said.

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Contributing: Amy Choate-Nielsen

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E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com