Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board debates 1‑mill budget proposal as Business Manager presents final budget adjustments
Summary
Business Manager presented final 2024–25 budget adjustments including a $124,719 revenue increase (largely a PCCD mental‑health grant) and proposed a one‑mill increase to fund long‑range capital needs; board members debated the recurring nature of grants and the frequency of recent tax increases.
The Southmoreland School District Business Manager presented a proposed final 2024–25 budget at the June 18 meeting and recommended a one‑mill tax increase to help cover long‑range facilities needs.
The Business Manager said the packet reflected reductions of $120,228.24 from prior proposals and added $65,204.32 in increased expenditures; revenues were increased by $124,719 (the largest single item identified as a $42,995 PCCD mental‑health grant). The presentation listed total expenditures of $35,561,194.22 and noted a $179,742 net effect on the 2024–25 budget compared with the preliminary figures.
Board members pressed whether the newly added grant revenue is recurring; the Business Manager responded the PCCD award is not permanent and next year’s budget could revert if the grant does not recur. She also explained the Homestead/Farmstead credit increase would produce about $300,000 of additional state funds and gave an example calculation that a median assessed taxpayer would see roughly $18.54 per year from a one‑mill increase.
The meeting featured robust debate. One board member said he opposed further tax increases and cited what he described as “seven tax increases in seven years”; another member argued smaller annual increases would be more manageable for taxpayers and better enable steady capital renewal. The Business Manager noted that the preliminary budget can be retained if the board prefers and that final certification would follow at the appropriate timeframe.
Separately, the board considered a resolution supporting full and fair public school funding from the state. After discussion about eligibility for proposed adequacy funding and state budget dynamics, the board took a roll‑call vote on the resolution; the tally reported in the meeting was 3 yes and 5 no, and the motion did not carry.
Members also reviewed treasurer reports, fund summaries, and a lengthy check register; one board member asked for clearer, worded descriptions instead of account codes for transparency and to make it easier to verify specific expenditures and transfers. The Business Manager said the reports are canned outputs from the accounting vendor but offered to produce account‑code crosswalks or additional documentation on request.
The board did not set final millage at the meeting; staff said any final millage certification would follow the normal budget calendar.
