Millcreek committee forwards $124.9 million 2025–26 budget with 2.9% tax increase to board

Millcreek Township School District finance and operations committee moved the district's final 2025'26 general fund budget to the full board for adoption, recommending $123,763,642 in revenues and $124,882,323 in expenditures and endorsing tax rates that would set the property tax levy at 16.7412 mills.

The proposed final budget matters because it funds a 3% salary increase for most employees, adds a net 15 positions mostly in special education, and responds to rising costs: health care rises by about $1.8 million, transportation by more than $900,000 and debt service by roughly $300,000.

According to administration, the final budget differs only modestly from the proposed final budget. The finance director said the revenue increase of roughly $8 million largely reflects a $215,000 increase in state gaming revenue and offsetting adjustments in tax-collection estimates; total expenditures decreased about $129,700 versus the proposed version because some equipment purchases tied to grants were removed and workers' compensation premiums fell by about $30,000, partially offset by a roughly $60,000 increase in property and liability insurance.

Committee discussion emphasized the district's tax rate relative to other IU 5 districts: the 2.9% tax increase in the recommended final budget is roughly 1.3 percentage points below the IU 5 average increase this year (the committee cited a 4.2% IU 5 average). Administrators said the budget will be posted for public inspection at the Mill Creek Education Center and online; state public school code advertising and notice requirements will be followed ahead of the scheduled board adoption at the May board meeting.

Board members also noted implementation details: most employee groups would receive a 3% base increase, additional funds were allocated for special education staffing, and administrators will continue to monitor reimbursements and grant flows. The committee moved the budget to the full board for adoption; the board will vote on the final budget at its regular May meeting.

The committee recorded no change to the advertised tax-rates structure beyond those read into the resolution; the proposal preserves the district's existing earned income, real estate transfer and local services tax authorities as outlined in the resolution.

The district encouraged interested residents to review the full proposed budget online or at the district office before the board vote.