Upper Dublin School District staff presented June and July financial reports to the finance committee on Aug. 20, outlining a projected year-end surplus of about $5.3 million, updates on tax collections and a summary of outstanding reconciliation items.

Staff said June closeout remains in progress ahead of auditors’ visits in September and reiterated two open reconciliation items: PECO utility billing issues that affected multiple accounts and reconciliation of out-of-district tuition for student placements. Staff said July collections reported through the tax collector totaled about $11.9 million, or roughly 13.5% of expected annual property-tax receipts. The packet also showed the district received a first meaningful assessment on the property at 1125 Virginia Drive that added about $5.5 million in assessed value (not tax dollars) to the digest.

On projections, staff said they previously estimated a $4.9 million surplus and that current figures increased that projection to $5.3 million; the recommendation is to retain surplus funds in the general fund to help cover a $3.5 million structural budget gap and to maintain the unassigned fund balance near the district’s 7% guideline rather than transferring to capital reserves.

Staff also briefed the committee on broader budget context. The state budget process remained unresolved well past the statutory June 30 target; staff said the district receives about $24 million in state funding but has sufficient property-tax receipts and fund balance near-term to maintain operations. On federal funding, staff said a July notice temporarily put $58,500 of a roughly $150,000 Title grant at risk but that the federal administration subsequently reopened the consolidated application and the district resubmitted and expects to receive those funds.

During the public participation period, resident Ben Gravina of Willowmere asked why his property-tax bill increased about 4% despite growth in earned-income tax receipts and new rental/apartment developments. Gravina said, “when I open up my mail and I see a 4% increase in my school property tax, it had me a little — it raised questions for me,” and asked whether new developments and higher collections meant the district should not need to raise the rate. District staff said a detailed response would take a longer, separate conversation and encouraged Gravina and other residents to review the district’s March–June budget presentations and supporting narrative available online or to meet one-on-one with staff for a detailed explanation.

Committee members stressed the strain the late state budget causes districts and thanked staff for preparing contingency plans. The committee approved moving the monthly financials forward for committee review and recommended staff provide further detail to residents who request it.