Oct 4, 2026 · 17 min · 8 segments
In this episode, Ben breaks down the proposed Webster Groves School District tax increase, known as Prop W, and looks beyond the often-repeated “65 cents” and coffee stops comparison to examine what…
But what is the true cost? What is the real impact? How much will Prop W cost? Well, for homeowners, Prop W means an 18.51% increase in their property taxes for the school district, a near 20% more in the cost of owning a home, just for the taxes that are to be paid to the district every single
year.
And arguably the worst part, this sticker shock doesn't stop after each year's tax bill is paid.
It will be reflected in every facet of life, every purchase, every experience that costs money in our community.
Why? Because commercial and industrial properties also pay a school district tax.
And when a cost increase such as this can't be absorbed, it's passed on to tenants and then passed on to customers.
So that coffee, the same one that in the district size is so minimal you could apply your coffee money to pay your property taxes, now may cost you 20% more.
And let's not forget, that routine stop at the grocery store likely will cost you 20% more.
The USDA reports that the average moderate monthly grocery spend for a family of four is $1,380.
Not only will you be paying your own tax increase, Everything we buy will cost us more, too.
And for what? Well, specifically, it's the district's effort to raise $9 million to fill a $5.6 million hole.
So really, they want $9 million to cover a $3.6 million shortfall, assuming they don't continue to spend more and widen that shortfall.
But what is the true cost? What is the real impact? How much will Prop W cost? Well, for homeowners, Prop W means an 18.51% increase in their property taxes for the school district, a near 20% more in the cost of owning a home, just for the taxes that are to be paid to the district every single
year.
And arguably the worst part, this sticker shock doesn't stop after each year's tax bill is paid.
It will be reflected in every facet of life, every purchase, every experience that costs money in our community.
Why? Because commercial and industrial properties also pay a school district tax.
And when a cost increase such as this can't be absorbed, it's passed on to tenants and then passed on to customers.
So that coffee, the same one that in the district size is so minimal you could apply your coffee money to pay your property taxes, now may cost you 20% more.
And let's not forget, that routine stop at the grocery store likely will cost you 20% more.
The USDA reports that the average moderate monthly grocery spend for a family of four is $1,380.
Not only will you be paying your own tax increase, Everything we buy will cost us more, too.
And for what? Well, specifically, it's the district's effort to raise $9 million to fill a $5.6 million hole.
So really, they want $9 million to cover a $3.6 million shortfall, assuming they don't continue to spend more and widen that shortfall.
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