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The Austin Public Schools Board, during a special meeting Monday afternoon, approved a proposed maximum tax levy increase of 6.77%.

However, there is still room to maneuver for the district, which must set the tax levy by Sept. 30. To do that, though, the district has to wait for the Minnesota Department of Education to finish adjusting its calculations based on Minnesota statutes, as well as information supplied by individual districts.

Among those things that help determine the final levy increase are referendum authority, enrollment and intent to participate in various programs.

This allows for fluctuations in what the district sees based on those calculations. For instance, even though the district set its maximum levy increase at 6.77%, as of Monday morning, it actually sat at 6.73% — a number that could move leading up to Sept. 30.

Executive Director of Finance & Operations Todd Lechtenberg said there were multiple variables leading to the increase, but indicated that it was hard to focus on any one thing until MDE’s final calculations were done painting a clearer picture.

The tax levy can’t be raised after Sept. 30 and the specific increase will be finalized at its Dec. 9 Truth in Taxation meeting, slated for 6 p.m. in the Austin High School Annex.