Honeoye Central board adopts $21 million 2026–27 budget, readies EPC and library propositions for public vote

The Honeoye Central School District Board of Education voted to adopt the district'02627 budget and its property tax report card after a presentation from the business official on revenue assumptions, borrowing needs and program changes.

Natalie, the district—usiness official, told the board the proposed budget is balanced at roughly $21 million in revenues and $21 million in expenditures and that the allowable tax‑levy increase is 2.03% (about $221,824). She said the district plans short‑term borrowing of about $8 million to cover construction cash flow and estimated interest of roughly $312,000; that borrowing will be repaid by bond financings later.

The board discussed, and Natalie explained, several line‑item changes in the draft budget: reductions in elementary staffing (a 0.6 FTE art position and a 1.0 FTE teaching assistant that are being absorbed), a new financial‑literacy course (small materials increase), a plan to cover AP exam fees to reduce family cost barriers, and scheduled capital work (fire‑rated doors) that must be closed out by June 30.

On state aid, Natalie said the Legislature had not finalized the state budget and the district had seen a pattern of short "extenders" from Albany; she characterized the aid picture as uncertain but said the district built its revenue plan around a conservative assumption. The district also plans to use about $1.8 million of fund balance/reserves this year to close a roughly $1.5 million operating gap while its capital projects proceed.

After discussion the board took a motion to approve the 2026–27 budget expenditures and the property tax report card; the motion carried. The board then reviewed the items that will appear on the public ballot with the budget vote on May 19, including an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) proposition (if approved by voters it would unlock an additional 10% in building aid to expand energy measures) and a separate library tax proposition increasing the library levy from $180,000 to $198,000.

Board members and staff emphasized there is no direct tax increase tied to the EPC itself: the district would borrow for the project while expected energy savings and additional state aid would offset local costs. The district also announced voter‑registration procedural changes required by New York State that will be implemented with the Bold election system and tablet check‑in at the polls; staff said initial setup costs for Bold are substantial (district estimate conveyed as about $11,000) and the system will require voter check‑in changes on vote day.

What happens next: the board scheduled public materials and outreach about the ballot and new vote procedures; the budget and propositions will be decided by district voters at the May 19 vote and the board will report results per the new statewide reporting requirements.