The Wisconsin Rapids School Board approved a collaborative agreement to share attorney and appraiser costs with the City of Wisconsin Rapids, Wood County and Mid-State Technical College in a property tax appeal brought by mill owners (Verso). District staff said the owners are contesting approximately $1.5 million in tax revenue the district received for tax years 2018 through 2024 and that the district's portion of the potential liability would be roughly 30–35%. The district noted that if the Tax Appeals Commission sides with the property owners, the district could be required to refund that amount and pay interest; the state would cover 20% of interest because the state assesses manufacturing properties.

District staff described discussions with the city about hiring shared legal counsel and an appraiser to represent the four taxing entities before the Tax Appeals Commission; the initial hearing was scheduled for the upcoming spring. Staff estimated attorney costs in the range of $30,000–$40,000 and said cost-sharing arrangements would be negotiated with the other taxing entities. The board approved entering into the collaborative agreement at this meeting and asked staff to proceed with coordination among the taxing jurisdictions.

The board discussion noted possible alternative outcomes — negotiations or settlement — and acknowledged the process could take several years. The district emphasized the importance of coordinated representation on technical tax-assessment matters because the state, not the city, appraises manufacturing properties.