The La Crosse School District will raise taxes this year to install more energy-efficient lighting in five buildings.

The state Legislature in June allowed school boards to exceed state-set revenue limits - without having to go to voters for approval - if the money was used to improve energy efficiency.

The La Crosse School Board approved a plan Monday that will add $2 to the December tax bill on a $100,000 property. Taxpayers also will see on that same bill the effects of the $18.5 million referendum approved in November 2008 and the five-year, $4.17 million operating referendum approved in April 2008.

The energy efficiencies exemption was included in the 2009-11 state budget passed in June. School boards have until Nov. 1 to take the exemption so it can be included in their 2010-11 budgets.

Board member Steve Kopp voted against the measure Monday, while vice president Deb Suchla abstained, saying she wanted more information on rebates.

"It's not a great sum of money in the grand scheme of our budget, but still, with all of the government programs going around ... it's kind of like the comp room at the casino - you start taking advantage and pretty soon you're hooked into staying with it," Kopp said.

The school district will use the $57,600 to install 192 high bay lighting fixtures at Central and Logan high schools, Longfellow and Lincoln middle schools, and North Woods Elementary school.

The project is expected to save $6,616 annually and pay for itself in energy savings in about seven years once rebates are applied, according to information presented to the board.

Janet Rosseter, executive director of business services, said the move is a one-time revenue override that "comes right back out," though the state could decide to carry it into the second year of the biennial budget.

The Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan School Board voted Sept. 28 to exceed its revenue limits by $25,000 for energy upgrades. The projects will save an estimated $6,770 annually in electrical costs, according to information submitted to the state Department of Public Instruction.

Onalaska district officials have talked to the school board about using the exemption to provide about $123,000 for its energy management program plus new lighting in three schools, said Larry Dalton, finance director.