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Erie board splits over 2.88% tax proposal; administration to file revised budget without expanded pre-K
Summary
Administrators asked for direction on whether to include a 2.88% tax increase in the budget filing. After debate and a staff forecast that pre-K costs could be removed, the board agreed to place a 2.88% proposal on Monday's agenda and directed staff to remove the $1.1M expanded pre‑K amount from the initial filing for clarity before the vote.
The board spent the meeting’s second half on the proposed 26‑27 budget. Mr. Cheese opened the discussion asking for direction so he could prepare the official filing with the state and said the vote on the final budget is scheduled for Monday.
Staff and directors focused on three initiatives held in a budgetary reserve: expanded pre‑K (about $1.1 million this year), athletics (roughly $2.5 million referenced in discussion), and a library expansion. Mr. Cheese told the board he had recalculated charter-tuition costs using the state's new template and expected at least $1.0 million in savings that could offset some new spending.
Board members questioned whether it is appropriate to approve ongoing spending funded with one‑time surpluses or hypothetical savings. Mr. Sheriff and others argued budgeting should be conservative and that the public needs clear, present numbers rather than contingent items. Mr. Nichols and Dr. Brennan advocated for modest increases to cover inflation and protect programs; Dr. Brennan and consultant PFM had previously modeled a baseline scenario in which 2.88% this year followed by smaller annual increases would preserve longer-term fiscal stability.
Counsel polled the board on placing a 2.88% increase on Monday’s agenda. Directors’ responses were recorded: Director Graf — yes; Director Nichols — yes; Director Horton — no; Director Cooley — no (said she lacked full information); Mr. Harkins — reserved but said he could support in a crunch; Mr. Sharif — no; Dr. Brennan — yes. Counsel clarified that placing the measure on the agenda is not a final approval and that state code requires at least five votes for adoption when the board votes.
After discussion, Mr. Cheese said he would prepare the filing version that removes expanded pre‑K funding from the 2.88% scenario; staff signaled they would bring the revised documents to the board in the next few days and invited further questions prior to Monday’s vote. Mr. Cheese and others also said they would invite PFM to August/September sessions to review capital forecasting and longer-term projections.
What’s next: The 2.88% increase will appear on Monday’s agenda for formal consideration; staff filed that the pre‑K reserve would be removed from the initial 2.88% submission and will supply updated homestead-impact tables and PFM follow‑up for the board before the vote.
