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Berkshire Local board approves resolution to put additional earned income tax before voters
Summary
The board voted to approve a resolution to proceed with placing an additional earned income tax levy before voters in November 2026; district leaders said a 0.50% increase was their preferred option after modeling indicated larger quarter-percent options were feasible.
Chair opened new business by asking the superintendent to explain options for an earned income tax (EIT) to address projected fiscal shortfalls. Superintendent (speaker 5) summarized the available certified increments and recommended pursuing a half-percent option.
“The 0.5 is kind of the sweet pot spot,” Beth (the district clerk, speaker 4) said, noting the county certified options at 0.50, 0.625 and 0.75 and that the county will only accept quarter-percent increments.
The superintendent told the board the district cannot show a negative in fiscal year 2029 under current projections and that, without the levy, roughly $1.3 million in cuts would be required. The Chair moved to approve “the resolution to proceed with 1.50 earned income tax levy for 11/03/2026” as recorded in the meeting motion; a second was recorded and the board approved the resolution by roll call.
According to the roll-call record called by the clerk, members voting yes included Mr. Wadsworth, Mr. Berman, Mr. Manfredi, Mrs. Stone and Mr. Townsend. The motion carried.
Why it matters: district leaders said the additional EIT would change the district’s revenue outlook and avoid immediate, deep program cuts. Superintendent and finance staff said the levy, if approved by voters, would be a permanent change in the district’s earned income tax rate and would not be on a five-year renewal schedule.
Next steps: The resolution authorizes placing the measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot and staff said they will present a fiscal forecast in August and proceed with ballot preparations.
