Eastern York School Board approves budget with 1.25‑mill tax increase, sets millage at 28.68

The Eastern York School District board voted to approve the district's final 2026–27 budget package, including a 1.25‑mill real estate tax increase that sets the general‑fund millage at 28.68 mills.

Board members and administrators spent more than an hour debating the proposal before the roll‑call votes. The administration and district business staff said the increase would reduce reliance on the fund balance, preserve the district's fiscal flexibility and help avoid sharper tax hikes in later years; opponents argued the increase would place an undue burden on local taxpayers and urged smaller increments.

Ken, the district business manager, presented the fiscal scenarios underlying the recommendation and warned that projected expenditure increases, if unaddressed, would require additional drawdowns of the fund balance in coming years. Board discussion focused on two recurring tradeoffs: whether to preserve reserve strength and debt capacity to protect the district's bond rating, or to limit the immediate tax impact on homeowners.

Several board members said the district is likely to need an additional autistic support classroom and that planning for staffing and space now reduced the chance of an emergency midyear cut. Other trustees pressed for contingency plans that would lower costs if projected revenues or enrollment trends improved.

The motion approved by the board combined the final budget, a formal real‑estate millage resolution (setting the general‑fund rate at 28.68 mills) and a homestead/farmstead exclusion resolution required under state law. The board recorded the outcome by roll call and the motions passed.

What the board adopted

- Tax rate: The board set the general‑fund millage at 28.68 mills, which reflects a 1.25‑mill increase above the prior rate. This was the central fiscal change approved by the board.
- Budget package: The board approved the administration's final budget as amended on the floor. Specific line‑item figures cited during debate in the meeting packet were partially garbled in the transcript; where precise dollar totals were unclear in the record, the board's official posted budget and the board minutes should be referenced for exact revenue, expenditure and fund‑balance numbers.
- Homestead/farmstead exclusion: The board adopted the resolution implementing the homestead and farmstead exclusion for 2026–27 in accordance with state law.

Why it mattered

Board supporters argued that incremental increases now would protect the district from steeper increases later and would preserve borrowing capacity for future capital needs. Opponents cautioned that households already face heavy property‑tax burdens and urged continued cost‑control measures and exploration of revenue options beyond local levies.

Next steps

The district will post the adopted budget documents and the formal millage resolution on its website and file required documentation with the county assessment and tax offices. Administrators said they will continue to refine staffing forecasts, monitor enrollment and report back to the board if circumstances change.