Board approves 2026-27 budget for public display, adopts tax levy with no increase and OKs fixed-asset valuation

The Clarion-Limestone Area SD board voted to approve the district's proposed 2026-27 budget for public display and to adopt a tax-levy structure that the board said carries no tax increase for the coming year.

Staff summarized draft-two budget changes, citing salary and benefits savings driven by staffing shifts (a cumulative reduction that moved the projected deficit from $76,180 in draft one to $63,125 in draft two) and a $45,300 transfer that increased the capital reserve to $215,300. The presentation included fixed-asset valuation needs to ensure proper insurance coverage, replacement planning and audit support.

On a separate motion the board approved a fixed-asset valuation agreement with Croll LLC for an on-site inventory of capital items (threshold $4,000) at a cost of $8,200. The contract requires a $2,500 down payment from the current year's funds and $5,700 billed to the 2026-27 budget; the board also approved an annual property-records outsourcing fee of $2,500 to maintain and update asset records going forward. Board members said the inventory will help ensure insurance coverage and assist with long-term capital planning.

The board additionally approved a series of other budget-related items during the meeting: adoption of the resolution to establish an equalized real-estate tax rate after county reassessment, approval of medical-insurance rates, and the proposed budget for public display. No tax increase was adopted.

The board recessed further routine business toward approval of contracts and personnel items; the items above were recorded by roll call as approved during the meeting.