Delaware Valley School District adopts $98.9 million budget, approves 1.976% tax increase
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Summary
The Delaware Valley School District board approved its 2025–26 general fund budget on June 17, 2025, adopting a 1.976% tax increase that sets the district millage at 124.36 mills and balances revenues and expenditures at $98,916,182.
The Delaware Valley School District board adopted its 2025–26 general fund budget Tuesday, approving a 1.976% tax increase and setting the district millage at 124.36 mills.
The board approved resolutions for the annual tax levy, homestead and farmstead exclusion, and transfer tax as part of the final-adoption motion. The resolution reflects identical revenues and expenditures of $98,916,182 for the coming fiscal year.
Why it matters: The vote fixes the district’s property-tax rate for the year and funds the district operating plan; board members and speakers during the meeting emphasized how the increase and budget choices affect homeowners, commercial property owners and district services.
Board discussion focused on distributional effects of the tax change. Director Carl (last name not provided) cast the lone no vote, saying commercial and rental property owners would face sharp increases that could be passed to tenants. Director Carl said the rise could “trickle down directly to those tenants inside those buildings who right now are already struggling to pay their rent.”
Several other board members praised district staff and the finance team for preparing the budget. A board member who identified Bill (finance staff) was singled out in comment for his work compiling the plan.
The final roll-call vote recorded seven yeses and one no: Christine Agron — yes; Mandy Colville — yes; Brian Fells — yes; Jack Fisher — yes; Pam Luffey — yes; Felicia Sheehan — yes; Rosemary Walsh — yes; Carl — no. The motion carried.
What the budget contains: The motion and the packet presented to the board included the balanced general fund budget numbers above and the accompanying resolutions for levy and tax-exemptions; board discussion also referenced the district’s broader reserve strategy and pension obligations, but no changes to those policies were voted on during this meeting.
Looking ahead: Board members asked staff to continue examining long-term liabilities and reserves. One director urged considering larger, recurring contributions to pension reserves to reduce the district’s unfunded liability over time; no formal motion on reserve policy was made at the meeting.
