Prosser School District flags possible overspending, plans June budget extension

At the board meeting, district finance staff reported the district’s cash-flow and budget status and warned that three funds may be overspent by the end of the year.

“Payroll and AP came under projected this month again — that’s about $85,000 under,” the finance presenter said, and added payroll was about $10,000 below projection in March. The presenter told the board he expects the general fund, the debt service fund and the transportation vehicle fund to run over budget unless adjustments are made; the transportation fund now reflects the district buying two buses when the budget anticipated one.

The presentation noted a separate correction to the K–3 apportionment restored roughly $700,000 to district cash this month, with the remaining funds to arrive in subsequent months. Board members asked staff to outline specific overrun items and to show the projected impact on year-end fund balances.

Staff recommended scheduling a formal budget-extension process, likely in June, including required public notice and a public hearing. The presenter said the extension will be advertised in the local paper and come to the board as a resolution to authorize additional expenditure authority for the remainder of the year.

Why it matters: a budget extension affects the district’s legally adopted spending authority and fund balances, and it requires a public hearing. Board members requested updated projections and a breakdown of “must-pay” fixed costs versus discretionary items to inform prioritization in the upcoming work session.

The board did not make a final funding decision at the meeting; staff will return with detailed projections and a proposed calendar for the extension and public notice.