Northern Lehigh board reviews budget options as administrators model $50M common‑campus bond and a 3.5% preliminary tax increase

Sherry Valtors, the district finance presenter, told the committee the district is projecting expenditures near $42 million and an ending fund balance just under $18 million while facing rising retirement (PSERS) and health‑care costs.

Valtors said the board previously approved a preliminary 3.5% tax increase; that step would add about $669,000 to local revenues. “A 3.5% proposed tax increase … will give us $669,000 in additional tax revenue,” she said.

The presentation included long‑range scenarios for capital projects. Administration described a feasibility study that estimated an additional $50 million in bond principal for a middle‑school/common‑campus reconfiguration. The district modeled the effect of that bond as adding roughly $500,000 a year to bond payments over a multi‑year ramp‑up, requiring the board to phase increases and consider tradeoffs.

Board members pressed administration on the timing and risks. One member noted the state’s revenue timetable can shift and asked how long fund balance would need to cover payroll if state monies are delayed. Administration said fund balance is the primary buffer for such timing risks and that administration is building contingency scenarios.

Public commenters urged caution. “Why don’t we wait on this common campus thing?” said a resident, arguing the district should prioritize smaller projects and personnel needs over an expensive new bond. Other speakers asked for clearer public communications about tax impacts and suggested delaying major projects until economic conditions settle.

Next steps: administration asked the board for direction at the monthly board meeting; no final bond decision or tax increase beyond the preliminary action was made at the committee meeting. The board will consider staff recommendations, state revenue updates and public input at the next advertised voting meeting.