Ottumwa Community School District is proposing a $0.50 decrease to the property tax levy for fiscal year 2027.  This represents a 3.4% decline from the previous year and generates a total tax levy of $14.159.

The School District is one of several taxing authorities that contribute to the overall tax rate for Ottumwa residents and makes up around 1/3rd of the total tax rate. As a comparison, the property tax levy for the City of Ottumwa in fiscal year 2026 was $20.99 while the School District rate was $14.66, approximately 30% lower. These rates combine with the County, Community College, and other groups to make up the total rate you see on your property tax statements.  

The District understands that household budgets have been hit hard these past couple years with prices for housing, fuel, and groceries all rising much faster than wages. The School Board and District Administration consider these realities each year when the annual budget is established and continue efforts to manage resources carefully while delivering a stable or decreasing property tax burden for Ottumwa residents. We are happy to deliver one expense that will not increase for homeowners next school year.  

School finance is a complex topic, and the Ottumwa Community School District works hard to provide the community with a clear, understandable overview of how the district’s funds are determined and allocated. We take our stewardship of taxpayer resources very seriously and, in an effort to transparently share our financial information with you, have included links on the Ottumwa Schools Website to financial information that include district Audit Reports, Certified Budgets, Financial Reports, Financial Report Card, and Property Tax Files.