Williamsville presents preliminary $248.17M budget; tax levy proposed up 3.14%

Acting Assistant Superintendent for Finance Dr. McGinley presented the board with a fourth update to the district's 2026'27 budget, reporting a preliminary expense budget of $248,168,844, a 2.24% increase from the prior year.

Dr. McGinley said the BOCES budget was finalized with an increase of $639,853 (bringing the district's BOCES total to $2,239,853) largely driven by a $483,364 increase in BOCES facility rental fees and higher service costs. He listed program reductions identified to help balance the budget, including $525,000 for the learning lab, $585,000 in retirement savings, nearly $61,000 in equipment reductions, and other adjustments that together amounted to more than $4.2 million in savings.

With those changes and a $221,448 closing adjustment, the district arrived at a balanced preliminary budget. Dr. McGinley also outlined a proposed tax levy of $153,072,576 (a 3.14% increase) and illustrated the impact using a $250,000 home: an estimated net increase of about $94.46 for a homeowner on that example.

Board members asked whether forecasted utility and gas price changes were included; Dr. McGinley said the team factors in utility projections and maintains contingency lines for unforeseen increases. Board members also discussed long-term budgeting, the prospect of 0-emission bus requirements beginning in 2027 (which could increase contracted transportation costs), and whether different example home values should be used for public communications.

Dr. McGinley closed by listing next steps: the regular April board meeting will include the budget approval vote, a May 7 budget hearing and presentation, and the May 19 budget vote and board candidate election.