Residents press board on tax impacts, ACTI reserves and transparency during budget talks

Public comment centered on tax burdens, reserves and transparency in the district’s budget process. Multiple residents, including Robina Blank of Abbottstown, expressed worry that proposed personnel expansions could worsen property‑tax strain on seniors and longtime homeowners.

Blank said she appreciated district efforts to be efficient but worried about rising property tax bills and asked what the district could do to mitigate tax impacts for older residents. A board member encouraged residents to contact state legislators about property‑tax reform, and staff noted the district will review revenues and tax scenarios at the upcoming committee‑of‑the‑whole meeting.

Residents also pressed the board about reserves for the ACTI capital project. The chair said about 43% of the ACTI commitment had been paid or accounted for from prior set‑asides and that a plan to reach 100% was under discussion. A public speaker and several board members compared the district’s millage increases and collection practices with neighboring districts and urged caution when adding recurring staff costs.

Board leadership repeated that revenues (state, local and federal) and tax‑rate scenarios will be discussed in the next meeting cycle and that the March sessions will include more detailed revenue breakout and the district’s millage formula. No decisions about tax rates or staffing were taken at this meeting.