Bethel Local board approves FY25 final appropriations, sets temporary FY26 budget and creates $2.6M capital fund

Bethel Local Board of Education members approved a package of budget motions and contracts Tuesday, voting to adopt final appropriations for fiscal 2025, set temporary appropriations for fiscal 2026 and establish a new capital maintenance fund with a $2.6 million initial transfer.

During a presentation, a district staff member said the board was completing the usual year-end process of truing up expenditures and appropriations and cleaning up special cost centers. “We have, final appropriations for your consideration,” the staff member said, describing the reconciliation work and recent fund cleanups.

The board then approved the final FY25 appropriations by roll call. The chair later asked members to approve temporary FY26 appropriations—set at roughly 75% to allow time for final figures—and the board voted to adopt those temporary appropriations before the new fiscal year.

Staff also described procedures for transfers and advances used at year end to manage cash flow and federal reimbursement timing. The staff member explained these entries are made and reversed at the start of the new fiscal year so the district can receive cash requests from the Ohio Department of Education. On the same topic, staff proposed a $2.6 million transfer into a newly established capital maintenance/infrastructure fund (fund code 007-9225) to separate pilot and capital dollars and to reconfigure debt payments into the bond retirement fund (002). “So, yeah, the the recommendation is to establish that fund,” the staff member said.

The board approved the resolution to establish fund 007-9225 and to move $2,600,000 into it by roll call. The measure is intended to give the board flexibility for identified capital projects and to avoid commingling pilot program money with current funds.

Separately, the board approved purchase order No. 251462 in the amount of $333,881.11 to Miami County ESE, after staff reported the check was ready for signature and the requisition had been processed. The board also voted to approve the proposed scope of work and to contract with an interim treasurer as presented.

Votes and motions were recorded by roll call for each action. The meeting concluded after members approved a motion to adjourn.

What this means: the board’s actions finalize FY25 bookkeeping and position the district to begin FY26 operations while setting aside a dedicated capital maintenance fund for future facility projects. Staff noted state budget uncertainty—including a referenced 40% figure under discussion at the state level—and said the district will continue planning and updating forecasts as state rules and commission reviews are clarified.

Next steps: staff will implement the transfers and advances at fiscal year turn and bring any recommended resolutions (including a proposed amendment to a 2017 resolution about pilot funds) back to the board for future consideration. No new levy or tax changes were proposed during this meeting.