Scranton School District reviews $230M resource base, delinquent Act 511 collections and possible revenue options
April 22, 2024 | Scranton SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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District finance staff reviewed line‑item funding sources and collection efforts at the April 22 Budget & Finance Committee meeting, providing a snapshot of the district's revenue mix and potential near‑term actions to increase or protect revenues.
"The district will be
beginning to prepare our proposed budget for 2025," a presenter said, and reported total 2024 resources of about $230,000,000, with an estimated $18,000,000 in fund balance and roughly $211,000,000 of revenue. He said state sources accounted for approximately 57% of revenues (about $120,000,000), local sources about 35% (more than $75,000,000, including approximately $44,800,000 budgeted for real estate taxes), and federal funding roughly 7% (about $15,400,000), including Title I and remaining ARP/ESSER funds.
On local revenue particulars, the presenter said the district had budgeted $21,000,000 for Act 511 taxes, with the earned income tax comprising about $14,000,000 of that total. He also noted the district's total assessed value has fallen by almost $13,000,000 over a seven‑year span, a factor that can reduce real estate tax yield.
Board members and staff discussed several revenue and cost‑control options: coordinating with the City of Scranton on an RFP to review nonprofit tax status and potential payments‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes (PILOTs), pursuing delinquent Act 511 collections (the city reportedly has about 70 disputed business privilege/mercantile claims in court), targeted line‑item reviews to control supply and contract costs, soliciting unpaid stadium advertising revenue and preparing for an upcoming opportunity to market field naming rights.
On delinquent tax collection, the presenter said the city has an RFP and earlier legal work in this area; he offered to obtain more detailed timelines and to invite the tax collector to a future meeting to discuss collection strategies. Directors welcomed that follow up and emphasized the importance of cross‑agency coordination to avoid duplicated efforts.
The committee took no formal votes on new revenue measures and moved to adjourn.
"The district will be
beginning to prepare our proposed budget for 2025," a presenter said, and reported total 2024 resources of about $230,000,000, with an estimated $18,000,000 in fund balance and roughly $211,000,000 of revenue. He said state sources accounted for approximately 57% of revenues (about $120,000,000), local sources about 35% (more than $75,000,000, including approximately $44,800,000 budgeted for real estate taxes), and federal funding roughly 7% (about $15,400,000), including Title I and remaining ARP/ESSER funds.
On local revenue particulars, the presenter said the district had budgeted $21,000,000 for Act 511 taxes, with the earned income tax comprising about $14,000,000 of that total. He also noted the district's total assessed value has fallen by almost $13,000,000 over a seven‑year span, a factor that can reduce real estate tax yield.
Board members and staff discussed several revenue and cost‑control options: coordinating with the City of Scranton on an RFP to review nonprofit tax status and potential payments‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes (PILOTs), pursuing delinquent Act 511 collections (the city reportedly has about 70 disputed business privilege/mercantile claims in court), targeted line‑item reviews to control supply and contract costs, soliciting unpaid stadium advertising revenue and preparing for an upcoming opportunity to market field naming rights.
On delinquent tax collection, the presenter said the city has an RFP and earlier legal work in this area; he offered to obtain more detailed timelines and to invite the tax collector to a future meeting to discuss collection strategies. Directors welcomed that follow up and emphasized the importance of cross‑agency coordination to avoid duplicated efforts.
The committee took no formal votes on new revenue measures and moved to adjourn.
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