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Board reviews $123.1M budget and proposes 2% tax increase for 2026–27
Summary
District finance staff presented a proposed 2026–27 general fund budget of $123,126,818 and recommended a 2% tax increase (millage about 33.1848); the board discussed reallocations to fund a weight‑room renovation and preserve staff salaries.
Craig Butler presented the district’s recommended 2026–27 general fund budget to the board on June 18, describing a plan that includes a 2% tax increase and line‑item adjustments to avoid cutting salaries and benefits.
Butler told the board the total budgeted revenues and expenditures are $123,126,818 and that the proposed millage is roughly 33.1848. He said the packet shows adjustments that reduced an initially proposed 3% increase to 2% by lowering a debt‑service line item rather than trimming salary and benefits. He explained the district previously restructured debt in 2023–24 and has roughly $1 million per year added to fund balance from that action, which supports the district’s credit rating and provides flexibility for future capital projects.
Butler also reviewed homestead exclusion funds awarded by the state: $3,778,374.40 will be distributed among 5,989 approved homestead parcels; the packet cites a per‑parcel tax reduction of $630.22 based on the district’s calculations. He presented assessed‑value examples from the packet showing estimated tax increases in dollar terms (for example, $46 for a $70,000 assessed‑value parcel and $234 for a $240,000 assessed‑value parcel) and noted a district collection rate of 95.5%.
Installment payment deadlines were restated from the packet: first installment due Aug. 1, second Oct. 1 and third Dec. 1, with a 10% penalty for late payments. Butler emphasized that most other line items (salaries, benefits, instructional materials, special education) remain unchanged in the recommended budget.
The finance committee recommended approval of the plan, and the board approved finance numbers two and three (agenda item A) by voice vote during the meeting. Staff said reallocations of unused funds could cover the proposed Academy Park weight‑room renovation if the board approves that project.
Next steps included posting the budget documents in the public packet and returning for any required votes by the board to set final millage and adopt the budget according to statutory timelines.
