Board leans toward 5.3% tax-rate increase after budget review; administration to return with proposed final budget

Finance staff presented year‑to‑date revenue and expenditure figures and a proposed budget framework for 2024‑25, including a recommended 5.3% tax‑rate increase under the Act 1 index.

Mr. Rabani and other finance staff said revenues in March were approximately $950,000 higher than the prior year and that the district’s accounts and investments were roughly $2 million better than last year. Staff reviewed a set of gap‑closing measures, coding adjustments and estimated interest earnings; they said they were budgeting a conservative base interest amount of about $450,000 while noting interest earned to date was closer to $1.2–$1.3 million.

Staff explained the calendar and legal deadlines: the proposed final budget must be adopted at least 30 days before the final adoption date; proposed final adoption was scheduled on May 15, public inspection May 16–18, and final adoption June 20. Presentation slides showed that a 5.3% tax increase would generate roughly $1.53 million in additional revenue and would equate to approximately $225.13 on the median‑value home figure presented.

Board members debated using one‑time interest and land‑sale proceeds for recurring costs. Several members cautioned against using nonrecurring interest revenue to fund recurring positions; one member said the combination of budgeting interest revenue and taxing at 5.3% felt like 'double dipping' the taxpayer. Administration responded that revenue assumptions are conservative and that the district must balance service needs (open positions, special‑education support, custodial and other priorities) with longer‑term risk from assessment appeals and state funding uncertainty.

The board took a straw poll. Multiple members voiced support for the 5.3% increase; one board member said they would prefer a smaller increase but would accept the majority decision. The administration will publish the proposed final budget for public inspection and bring a formal proposed final budget for board adoption according to the timeline already presented.