Conestoga Valley board approves proposed final budget, adopts 2.55% millage increase
May 13, 2024 | Conestoga Valley SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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The Conestoga Valley Board of School Directors voted unanimously on May 13 to approve a proposed final budget that includes a 2.55% millage‑rate increase and approved several routine budget procedures, including public display/advertising of the proposed final budget and appointment of the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau as tax collector.
Finance staff told the board that, because of timing rules for school budgets, the district needed to approve a proposed final budget this evening to meet statutory deadlines. The finance director presented three millage scenarios and the estimated homeowner impact: about $82 annually for the average homeowner at a 2.5% increase and about $91 at 2.75%. Staff also summarized that the district faces a projected operating gap under current assumptions and described options including using planned fund‑balance transfers and capital reserve funds to balance the budget if state aid is uncertain.
Board members debated the balance between taxpayer burden and revenue certainty. Some members voiced support for a lower increase (2.5%) to reduce homeowner cost, while others preferred a higher rate (2.75%) to avoid relying on uncertain state‑level funding. After discussion a motion was made to adopt a 2.55% millage increase as part of the proposed final budget and the chair called a roll‑call vote. The motion passed unanimously.
The board also voted to approve the resolution authorizing display and advertising of the proposed final budget, approved the legal notice for the proposed final budget and appointed the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau as the district’s tax collector. The board confirmed the appointment of Mrs Hunsinger as school‑board treasurer for a one‑year term.
Board members and staff emphasized that the district can reopen the budget if the state budget outcome changes before final adoption, but noted that tax bills cannot be changed after certain deadlines. Finance staff said they will continue reviewing revenues and expenditures and bring any required adjustments to the board ahead of the final‑budget vote.
No tax bills were finalized at this meeting; the board approved the proposed final budget and the associated procedural steps required for public notice and the tax‑billing process.
Finance staff told the board that, because of timing rules for school budgets, the district needed to approve a proposed final budget this evening to meet statutory deadlines. The finance director presented three millage scenarios and the estimated homeowner impact: about $82 annually for the average homeowner at a 2.5% increase and about $91 at 2.75%. Staff also summarized that the district faces a projected operating gap under current assumptions and described options including using planned fund‑balance transfers and capital reserve funds to balance the budget if state aid is uncertain.
Board members debated the balance between taxpayer burden and revenue certainty. Some members voiced support for a lower increase (2.5%) to reduce homeowner cost, while others preferred a higher rate (2.75%) to avoid relying on uncertain state‑level funding. After discussion a motion was made to adopt a 2.55% millage increase as part of the proposed final budget and the chair called a roll‑call vote. The motion passed unanimously.
The board also voted to approve the resolution authorizing display and advertising of the proposed final budget, approved the legal notice for the proposed final budget and appointed the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau as the district’s tax collector. The board confirmed the appointment of Mrs Hunsinger as school‑board treasurer for a one‑year term.
Board members and staff emphasized that the district can reopen the budget if the state budget outcome changes before final adoption, but noted that tax bills cannot be changed after certain deadlines. Finance staff said they will continue reviewing revenues and expenditures and bring any required adjustments to the board ahead of the final‑budget vote.
No tax bills were finalized at this meeting; the board approved the proposed final budget and the associated procedural steps required for public notice and the tax‑billing process.
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