The Keystone Central School District Board of School Directors voted to keep real‑estate tax collection in house and to hire Berkheimer to collect the district’s local services tax and business privilege tax.

The motion, made on the administration’s recommendation, specified that the district will continue in‑house real‑estate tax collection and retain the current tax office employee, while contracting Berkheimer for LST and BPT services. A Berkheimer representative told the board the company will follow the district’s direction and that Berkheimer ‘‘would have no objection’’ if the district chose to keep real‑estate collection local. The board approved the motion by roll call (motion passed; eight yeses).

Why it matters: the choice affects where residents pay real‑estate bills and who administers settlement, liens and ongoing BPT litigation. Board members sought assurances about continuity for open settlement and litigation cases and whether existing tax‑office staff would serve as a point person during transition. Administration and Berkheimer said the district’s tax office employee would remain the district contact and that ongoing legal matters would continue to be handled without interruption.

Key details: the board discussed cost estimates and service items during debate. Board members asked whether municipalities in the district had input; administration said several municipalities have already signed contracts with Berkheimer for their taxes while others will decide at their local meetings. The Berkheimer representative stated several boroughs had executed resolutions to use Berkheimer. The board also discussed the “Smiles” volunteer tax credit program — volunteers who meet work‑hour thresholds receive a $500 credit on real‑estate taxes — and the estimated postage/processing costs to continue that program if bills are printed or reissued; administration estimated roughly $11 in district postage and about $40 for Berkheimer reprint processing per affected bill.

Administration also told the board that Berkheimer conducts a SOC‑type audit of its operations and that the district’s annual audit firm (Baker Tilly) would include any contracted tax work in the district’s general‑fund audit. The board voted after a roll call; the motion carried (8 yes votes). The board instructed administration to move forward under the terms discussed.

What’s next: administration will finalize contract details, confirm which local municipalities will remain under Berkheimer contracts, and oversee transition logistics including customer access for December real‑estate tax payments. Board members asked for follow‑up information on final contract language, the scope of audits, and confirmation that the district tax office employee will be retained as the on‑site point person during transition.

Ending: The board’s decision preserves in‑district real‑estate service while outsourcing two revenue streams that the district described as administratively burdensome, with administration and Berkheimer both promising a coordinated transition and continued handling of ongoing legal and settlement matters.