MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon School Board members appear poised to place two levy issues on the spring ballot they say would not increase property taxes.

“We get it,” said Board President Charlie Guildner during Wednesday night’s meeting. “It’s tough right now, and it’s not the time to ask for too much.”

The board is considering placing a pair of levy requests on the ballot this spring that would replace existing levies. The board could vote on a final version of the proposal during the Nov. 9 meeting.

“The district is not asking for a single dollar increase,” Guildner said. “In all likelihood, the average taxpayer will pay less because there are more of us (taxpayers).”

Guildner said that because there are more homes and businesses, and another Wal-Mart, the cost of the levy is spread among more people, which means residents pay a smaller share.

According to Jennifer Larson, the district finance director, the tax rate per $1,000 property valuation would remain the same, at $3.624 for both levies combined. For a $250,000 home, the annual tax bill would be $816.

The calculations assume a 0 percent increase in property values in 2011 and a 3 percent increase in 2012, Larson said.

In the 2008 spring election, 52.6 percent of Mount Vernon voters approved the district’s $20.1 million maintenance and operations levy, and the $2.5 million technology levy, passed with 51.1 percent of the vote. They expire in 2010.

Voters across the county will consider similar ballot questions in their respective school districts this year. Anacortes, Concrete, Conway and Sedro-Woolley all are making plans to run levy elections early next year.

* Kate Martin can be reached at 360-416-2145 or at .