Emmett Independent District board approves revised 2025-26 and proposed 2026-27 budgets

The Emmett Independent District Board of Trustees approved the district's revised 2025-26 budget and voted to adopt the proposed 2026-27 budget after a summary presentation from district staff.

District staff told trustees the revised beginning balance for 2025-26 rose from an adopted $2.4 million to nearly $3.2 million, an increase of roughly $797,000. Staff said a $500,000 donation from the public school foundation contributed most of the difference in local revenue; without that gift the local-revenue increase would be about $326,000. The district also expects a beginning balance of about $2.5 million for 2026-27.

"This does include contingency as well as an estimated $300,000 expense carried over for our True North local tax revenue," the presenter said while reviewing the summarized budget. The presenter added that the tort fund shown is for liability insurance and is not a supplemental levy.

Trustees discussed state revenue and special-designated funds, which staff said include literacy remediation, professional development, salary apportionment and other program-specific allocations. The presentation noted a reduction in support units that lowered state revenues by about $376,000 for the revised 25-26 totals but that 26-27 estimates include higher health-discretionary costs tied to the state's insurance changes.

On the expenditure side, staff emphasized that 25-26 numbers remain estimates until June bill runs and final payroll accruals are posted in July and August. "This is an estimate," the presenter said, noting two June bill runs and payroll accruals that will affect final carryover.

To balance the proposed 26-27 budget without a supplemental levy, the district trimmed spending categories including software, supplies and textbooks. Capital outlay for 25-26 rose compared with the adopted plan because of one-time items and funds from House Bill 521 and House Bill 292; 26-27 anticipates only routine projects.

A motion to approve the revised 25-26 budget with a correction to column headings on the expenditures page passed by voice vote. The board then approved the proposed 26-27 budget as presented by voice vote.

The meeting packet includes documentation of transfers from fund code 435 and references to HB521 and HB292, which staff said accounted for part of the one-time increases in capital and other funds. Trustees asked staff to finalize carryover numbers once all late-June bills and payroll are reconciled.

The board also approved the June bill list and moved other routine items as part of the same meeting. The superintendent and business office will present finalized carryover and any post-closing adjustments at a future meeting.