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Board reviews local tax‑rebate plan and 2026‑27 budget timeline; Act 1 index set at 3.5%
Summary
Administration proposed a local property tax rebate mirroring the state's program (90 district residents already approved by the state), asked for October approval and showed a preliminary 2026‑27 budget timeline with the Act 1 index at 3.5%; staff will seek more detail on state applicants before outreach.
Business office staff reviewed a proposed district property‑tax rebate that would mirror Pennsylvania’s state program and briefed the board on the 2026‑27 budget timeline at the Sept. 8 work session.
Property‑tax rebate proposal
District finance staff said the local rebate would be a mirror of the state real‑estate tax rebate program. Staff reported 90 district residents have applied and been awarded the state rebate; the district has not yet received detailed applicant data from the Department of Revenue. To validate claims, staff proposed requiring proof of state approval rather than a copy of the state application.
"We really don't need that application. We need proof that the state approved their rebate," finance lead said, explaining the change.
The district circulated a draft local rebate application and said it will bring the program to the October board meeting for approval and implement it with the 2026‑27 budget if approved. Staff said legislators who represent the area offered to help publicize the local program once it is approved.
Budget timeline and Act 1 index
Staff also previewed the 2026‑27 budget timeline and reported the Pennsylvania Department of Education published the Act 1 index for 2026‑27 at 3.5 percent. The Act 1 index is the state‑calculated escalation measure districts use to determine certain tax‑increase procedural thresholds.
The draft timeline shows a potential November action to pass an Act 1 resolution committing to any tax increase below the index; staff noted the board could defer that decision to December or January if members preferred, and emphasized that an audit estimate of special‑education cost exemptions would be available by November. Staff said if the board did not adopt an Act 1 resolution this fall, it would revert to the district's prior schedule of preliminary actions in January and February.
Next steps
Staff will seek additional applicant detail from PDE/Department of Revenue, finalize the local rebate application with the solicitor, and present the rebate plan for October approval. The board will continue budget development updates through the fall with possible Act 1 resolution action in November or January.
