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Zionsville board adopts 2026 budget resolutions, bus and capital plans and sets tax-rate authorization
Summary
The board unanimously adopted a package of 2026 budget resolutions — including the Resolution of Appropriations and Tax Rate, authorization to submit the budget, a five‑year bus replacement plan and a multi‑year capital projects plan — and approved transfers and appropriation reductions while flagging possible declines in assessed valuation that raise the prospect of a future referendum.
Chief Financial Officer Regina May presented the board with the district's 2026 budget adoption package on Oct. 6 and noted recent legislative changes that could reduce assessed valuation over the next five years, increasing the importance of any future referendum to support district services.
"There was Board discussion about recent legislative changes that require the district to prepare for declining assessed valuation for the next five (5) years adding that passing a referendum will become even more critical to services provided by the district," the meeting minutes state. The board adopted the Resolution of Appropriations and Tax Rate (State Form 4) and authorized submission of the 2026 budget.
The board also approved a 2026–2030 Bus Replacement Plan and a 2026–2028 Capital Projects Plan. Additional motions adopted by unanimous votes authorized transfers from the Education Fund to the Operations Fund, reductions in 2025 appropriations, and authorization of a total tax rate for the 2026 budget. Each motion was moved by Vice President Michael Berg and seconded by Dr. Christy Wessel‑Powell and recorded as passed 5‑0.
What this means: the approved resolutions provide the administrative authority the district needs to file the budget and proceed with capital and vehicle planning; officials signaled concern about future property‑value trends and their potential budgetary impact.
Timing and next steps: the district will proceed with required filings and implement the adopted plans; the board did not take final action on any referendum at the Oct. 6 meeting.
