Long Term Facilities Maintenance Revenue

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LONG-TERM FACILITIES MAINTENANCE REVENUE

Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Revenue, (LTFM) program was established in the 2015 Education Act.  Intended for school districts, intermediate districts, other cooperatives, and charter schools.

New legislation was passed during a special session in July 2015 that provides revenue increases for school districts not currently eligible to participate in the Alternative Facilities Bonding and Levy program.

Legislation requires that districts develop a 10 Year Facilities Maintenance Plan adopted by its board.  The program funds deferred maintenance expenditures for projects which are attached to or part of a building and replaced on an equal exchange basis.

PHASED 

Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Revenue includes a three year phased approach beginning in FY 2017

  • FY 2017 Districts will receive up to $193/pupil
  • FY 2018 Districts will receive up to $292/pupil
  • FY 2019 Districts will receive up to $380/pupil

Figures are prorated for districts with an average building age of 35 years or less. This program replaces the former Health and Safety and Deferred Maintenance revenue programs and associated funding.

The LTFM Revenue is an equalized levy, which means the State of Minnesota will pay for a portion of the revenue depending on the district’s property value.  The equalizing factor is set at 123% of the State average Adjusted Net Tax capacities.

KEY ELEMENTS

  • Equalizing Factor high enough that a significant number of districts qualify for aid.
  • Set as a % of state average ANTC/pupil. If property value increases statewide the equalizing factor will also increase.
  • Agricultural Land in a district is not counted when calculating district’s value/pupil.

ALLOWED USES

  • Deferred Capital Expenditures and maintenance projects necessary to prevent further erosion of facilities.
  • Increasing accessibility of school facilities.
  • Health + Safety Projects under MN Statues (123B.57)

NOT ALLOWED USES 

  • Construction of New Facilities, Remodeling Existing Facilities or the Purchase of Portable Classrooms
  • Finance A lease Purchase Agreement, Installment Purchase Agreement, or other Deferred Payments Agreement.
  • Energy Efficiency Projects under MN Statues (123B.65)
  • Violence Prevention + Facility Security, Ergonomics, or Emergency

10-YEAR FACILITIES PLAN 

To qualify for Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Revenue, school districts, cooperatives, and intermediate districts must have a 10-year plan by the school board and approved by the commissioner.

Generally there are two primary components of a school facility plan:

  • Physical Condition
  • Educational Adequacy

Curricular changes within education programs can have significant impact on educational facilities.  A common challenge during preparation of a facilities plan is balancing and prioritizing physical conditions aligned with specific educational needs.  Working with an experienced and qualified consultant will aid in the process in order to investigate and prioritize maintenance improvement projects.