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Finance committee recommends 2025–26 projection that would use fund balance and raise taxes about 3.7%
Summary
Finance committee chair Mark Weaver presented a draft budget projection that would use $300,000 of unassigned fund balance and, as presented, would require a proposed 3.7% tax increase — about $248 for an average $180,000 home — if adopted.
Finance Committee chair Mr. Mark Weaver presented the committee—s budget projection and recommendations for the board. Weaver said the district—s final projection for 2024–25 includes a modest increase in projected revenue from higher interest earnings and a certified homestead/farmstead payment from the state that increased about $408,000 compared with the prior estimate.
Weaver explained the draft 2025–26 projection shows total expenditures of approximately $137.0 million and projected revenues of roughly $133.1 million, leaving a projected shortfall of about $3.0 million. The committee recommended using $300,000 of unassigned fund balance to reduce the deficit, which under the recommendation would result in a 3.7% proposed tax increase. "What that does is that sets us up for our average home assessed at $180,000 that would be a $248 tax increase from last from this current year to next year if approved," Weaver said.
Weaver noted most district spending is fixed (contracts, salaries, utilities) and identified limited variable categories for potential future adjustments. The committee recommended approval to use $300,000 in fund balance and to move the proposed 2025–26 budget forward for final adoption at the board—s next meeting; the board did not take the final approval vote at the June meeting but placed the measures on the consent calendar for next week.
On food service, the committee proposed a 10‑cent increase to the Type A paid lunch price to help offset an estimated shortfall: high school Type A lunches from $3.35 to $3.45; middle school from $3.30 to $3.40; elementary from $3.00 to $3.10. The change was estimated to generate about $20,000. Weaver said Type A breakfasts remain free under current federal programs and no price change was recommended.
Weaver urged the board to review the materials and move the items through the consent process so tax bills and procurement schedules can proceed over the summer.
