Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Lodi Board approves 2026–27 budget with 4.5% levy after heated debate; two trustees dissent
Summary
The Lodi Board of Education on March 30 approved the district’s $2026–27 final budget, including a 4.5% tax-levy increase driven by health-benefit cost growth and a $1.26 million state-aid cut; two trustees voted against the budget while the board reduced capital-reserve withdrawals to focus on security projects.
The Lodi Board of Education approved its final 2026–27 budget on March 30 after extended discussion over rising benefit costs, declining state aid and how reserves should be used.
Mr. Lam, the district’s business administrator and board secretary, told the board that state aid was cut by $1,259,000 and that salary and benefits increases are running about $3.8 million. He said the administration estimated a conservative 20% drop in some federal grants and proposed a 4.5% tax levy increase, which he estimated would add roughly $288 annually to the owner of a home assessed at $323,700. “State aid was cut by $1,259,000,” Mr. Lam said during his overview, and he emphasized that…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
