Greece Central reviews tax‑cap calculation and approves expanded bus replacement plan with no immediate levy increase

District finance staff presented the Greece Central School District’s annual tax‑cap calculation and a bus‑replacement plan, explaining how levy limits are computed and how the proposed vehicle purchases would be financed without raising the local tax levy.

Romeo (district finance/operations presenter) and Megan Bradshaw walked the board through the tax‑cap factors used in the levy calculation: the tax base growth factor (reported at 1.0021 for this year), allowable growth (the lower of 2% or CPI; district will use 2% for 2025–26), prior‑year pilots and current pilots, and capital‑cost exclusions (debt service less state aid and BOCES capital). Bradshaw presented the consolidated result: a calculated maximum allowable tax levy of roughly $128,000,000 for 2025–26 (an increase of about 2.07% in levy terms under the district’s calculation). Staff said the district will submit the tax‑cap filing to the State Comptroller by the March 1 deadline.

Romeo explained pilot projects (payments in lieu of taxes) that affect the calculation, naming several pilots and assessed values discussed by staff: a large lithium‑ion battery recycling facility (assessed in staff materials at about $45,200,000), the Clear Choice Building (assessed about $1,500,000), and a proposed cold‑storage/food manufacturing facility in Elm Grove Plaza (assessed roughly $5,000,000). These pilot agreements reduce locally taxable assessed value during their term and are handled through the county/IDA process.

On transportation, the district proposed a one‑year accelerated replacement to prepare for potential future changes tied to the state electric‑bus mandate. Staff recommended purchasing 35 buses in 2025–26 at an estimated aggregate cost of $5,600,000 and auctioning or trading in 35 older vehicles; the plan would reduce the fleet toward a target of about 190 buses. The proposed purchase mix and approximate unit prices reported in the presentation included: 15 large 70‑passenger buses (~$180,000 each), 10 70‑passenger buses with cargo (~$182,000 each), two 26‑passenger wheelchair buses (~$140,000 each), and eight 30‑passenger small buses (~$105,000 each). Staff said district transportation aid will be received over five years and that the district plans to use about $1.9 million from its bus reserve to cover the local share so “there will be no additional local share added to the levy to pay for these new buses.”

Board members asked about electric bus requirements. Staff noted the existing state timeline that would require new buses purchased after a statutory date to be electric and a full fleet transition by 2035; they said uncertainties remain about infrastructure costs, transformer/charging capacity, vendor availability and state incentive timelines. The district reported it is studying phased charger/transformer installs and has sought cost information from the electric utility and vendor partners; a formal study and cost estimate were expected to be finalized before sending a formal letter to state legislators.

Board members confirmed there would be no immediate tax impact from the 35‑bus purchase because the local share will be funded from existing reserves and financed in the district debt plan. The board did not approve new electric infrastructure spending tonight; staff said any infrastructure decisions would come back for board approval once cost estimates and state guidance are clearer.