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Treasurer reports delayed Franklin County settlement, outlines staffing savings and construction schedule
Summary
Treasurer Nick Roberts told the board that the district has not yet received the Franklin County real estate tax settlement, outlined roughly $550,000 in salary savings from staffing turnover and described timelines for a performing arts center, field house and athletic field work with a GMP expected before construction bidding.
Treasurer Nick Roberts told the board the district’s April financials show strong income tax collections but an outstanding Franklin County real estate tax settlement that complicates year‑over‑year comparisons.
"We're through April... we still don't have the Franklin County, real estate taxes," Roberts said, explaining that Fairfield County settlements arrived but were missing the permanent improvement levy line. He said last year the district received "about 20.8" (figure stated verbally) and the district expects additional Franklin County receipts in June that will affect the final totals.
Roberts said April income tax settlements exceeded forecast by $154,000 (about 6.8% year‑over‑year). On the expenditure side, he said spending is tracking near expectations and that attrition and hires are producing savings: "I counted 13 staff departed, and we're bringing 11 back... that's about $550,000 of savings, right now." He said additional adjustments (benefit changes, supplementals) could bring total planned reductions closer to $1,000,000.
On facilities, Roberts said the district expects a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) to be presented to the board at the May 27 meeting, after which bidding would proceed. He said the district had received building permits and that civil permits were in final stages; construction targets include bleachers by July, softball and baseball fields by late fall and a field house to be ready before next football season.
Superintendent Hunt highlighted community events and the facilities project timeline: graduation will be held May 23 at World Harvest Church and a public groundbreaking for the performing arts and athletics project is scheduled for Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. Hunt described the project as including a new "700 plus seat performing arts center," a field house at Mike Locke Stadium and campus traffic/parking improvements.
Why it matters: The missing Franklin County settlement affects year‑end projections and comparisons; planned staffing and benefits-based savings are material to meeting a targeted budget reduction and could affect services and positions. The construction timetable and the forthcoming GMP are the next steps that will determine project costs and scope.
What to watch next: the June Franklin County settlement, the May 27 GMP presentation, and whether the board adopts specific staffing or benefit changes following staff reports.
