Budget preview: Perkiomen Valley projects 3.43% tax impact, recommends $1M from fund balance

Perkiomen Valley's business office on April 2 presented a preliminary view of the 2024‑25 general fund and recommended using unassigned reserves to moderate the district's tax impact.

Mister Weaver reviewed revenue and expenditure assumptions and said the district began the year with an audited unassigned fund balance of $10,061,003.44. Based on eight months of actuals and projected items, the administration recommended using $1,000,000 of unassigned fund balance to help offset the 2024‑25 budget; that action would reduce the projected tax increase to 3.43% under current assumptions.

Weaver highlighted several revenue items that improved the outlook, including stronger earned income tax receipts and interest earnings. He also noted one‑time and cyclical expenditure increases: software renewals that drive a roughly $275,000 software bump, lease cycles for technology and a municipal lease for custodial equipment and vehicles. If state budget actions or bond‑refunding results change, the millage impact could shift.

The board ratified (for placement on consent) a $55,908.88 furniture purchase for full‑day kindergarten and reviewed a $40,000 supplies allocation for kindergarten (not furniture). The business office also presented updates to the E‑rate replacement program that would reimburse about 40% of certain infrastructure costs, and a proposed three‑year trash and recycling agreement for $259,592.16.

Weaver said the district continues to model impacts and will present preliminary budget approval in May and a final budget in June; he cautioned that pending bond‑refunding results could change the tax calculation.

No final budget vote occurred at the work session; the board asked staff to continue refining projections and to return with any bond‑refunding results that might soften the tax impact.