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Bend‑LaPine Budget Committee approves $639.5 million budget and debt-service levy
Summary
The Bend‑LaPine Schools Budget Committee voted May 13 to approve the district’s proposed budget in the aggregate amount of $639,538,582 and a debt-service levy, and heard a public comment urging explicit expense‑reduction goals.
The Bend‑LaPine Schools Budget Committee voted May 13 to approve the district’s proposed budget in the aggregate amount of $639,538,582 and to levy debt‑service taxes as stated in the motion; the committee also voted to assess the district’s permanent tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value as recorded in the motion.
The budget matters because it sets the district’s spending plan and the tax levy that helps pay bonded debt and ongoing operations for the coming year.
Dan Emerson, the district’s chief financial officer, told the committee the proposed budget has not changed since an April 8 public meeting and that staff opened an online portal and email for follow‑up questions. Emerson said the district received questions only from Director Shirley Olsen and provided answers to all committee members by blind carbon copy email.
Emerson also said the committee should expect potential state revenue changes pending the state economic forecast due April 14 and that the district will have a clearer sense of state impacts after that release.
During the discussion, Director Cameron Fisher asked about recent shifts in how some student services are provided. Emerson said the district estimates roughly $200,000 in savings from bringing occupational therapists under the Bend‑LaPine umbrella rather than contracting through High Desert ESD, and about $100,000 in savings from consolidating other services. He added, however, that an expanded NEST program relocated to Summit will likely cost about $500,000, so “it was not a net neutral” and the student‑services program overall did not realize a net cost savings.
A member of the public, Dave Kyle, urged the committee to add a specific goal about controlling and reducing expenses to the budget message. “You have to have a specific goal about controlling and reducing expenses,” Kyle said, noting his background in accounting and finance and thanking committee volunteers.
Budget committee member Seth Eisenberg moved to approve the budget and the associated tax and levy items; Tom Barman seconded. Board Chair Marcus LeGrand called for a voice vote; the motion carried on an affirmative voice vote. The committee did not record a roll‑call tally in the transcript.
The committee adjourned after the vote. Staff and the committee signaled no further changes to the proposed budget at the meeting; Emerson noted the district will monitor the upcoming state economic forecast for possible impacts.
