District updates budget to include Derby Rec Commission levy; board sets revenue-neutral and budget hearings for Sept. 8

Pam Kelly, director of finance, told the board on Aug. 4 that she had updated the district’s FY2025–26 budget to include the Derby Recreation Commission levy. Kelly said DRC will levy 7.53 mills for the fiscal year, an increase of 0.25 mills from the previous year.

Board members asked whether the DRC had discussed reasons for the increase; Kelly said she did not have a direct explanation but understood the commission has capital projects that may include a pool-deck repair estimated in the meeting comments at about $400,000 and possible future projects. Board members requested better communication from the DRC about planned uses of the levy increase so the school district could explain why the levied amount may increase even when the school district did not raise its mill rate.

On the same night the administration asked the board to approve publication of two legal notices: a hearing on exceeding the revenue-neutral tax rate and a hearing on the FY2025–26 budget. Both hearings were scheduled for Sept. 8, 2025, beginning at 6:30 p.m., and would precede the regular board meeting at the administration center. The board approved publication of both notices in the Derby Informer; the motion to publish passed 7-0.

Ending: The budget materials will be updated with the Derby Rec Commission levy included; formal hearings on the revenue-neutral tax rate and the district budget will be held Sept. 8, 2025.