Statewide property tax levies due in 1999 grew by 7.6 percent, compared with 3.3 percent last year, to $5,082.5 million, according to data provided by county assessors. Values grew by 6.9 percent compared to 6.5 percent last year. Rates fell to a statewide average of $13.56 per $1,000.

School levies, the major component of all levies collected, maintained existing levels of financing in 1999 with 6.9 percent growth. The school levy share of all levies fell from 57.1 percent in 1998 to 56.7 percent in 1999. The state levy totaled $1,278.3 million, increasing 3.2 percent from 1998, while local levies were $1,603.9 million, a 10 percent increase from 1998. In 1999 the state property tax levy represented 44.4 percent of the total school levies, while local voter-approved excess levies (maintenance and operation, capital projects, transportation vehicle and bonds) comprised 55.6 percent.

Counties expanded their regular and special levies 5.9 percent over levies due in 1998. County levies, including county general, road levies and special levies, amounted to $924 million. Counties have maintained at least an 18 percent share of all property tax levies since 1988 (18.2 percent in 1999, down slightly from 18.5 percent in 1998 and 18.6 percent in 1997).

Cities and towns showed an increase over 1998 levies of 5.5 percent to $666.4 million. Cities and towns have maintained at least an 11 percent share of all property tax levies since 1980 (13.1 percent in 1999, down slightly from the 13.4 percent share in 1998).

Junior taxing district levies amounted to $610.4 million, a 16.8 percent increase. The share of all levies devoted to junior taxing districts was 12 percent in 1999 compared to 11.1 percent in 1998.

A more detailed picture is provided in the following tables. Tables 7 through 13 summarize and provide history on levies; Tables 14 through 16 give detailed valuation data; Table 17 is a comparison of 1998 and 1999 assessment ratios; Tables 18 through 20 provide a basis of comparing levy rates; and Table 21 gives detail on senior, junior and local school valuation, rates and levies.