Grants Pass School District 7 budget committee approves proposed 2026–27 budget, formalizes contingency interpretation

The Grants Pass School District 7 budget committee voted to approve the proposed 2026–27 budget in the aggregate amount of $133,874,393 and set the district’s permanent tax rate at $4.5248 per $1,000 of assessed value, adopting the resolution presented by committee members.

Committee discussion before the vote focused on how to interpret contingency when judging whether the budget is "revenue neutral." After extended debate, the committee reached an on‑the‑record understanding that, for this review cycle, contingency as budgeted will not be counted as an expenditure for purposes of declaring a revenue‑neutral outcome; that is, if contingency is not spent the year will be treated as breakeven. The mover read language into the record stating the proposed budget “is not revenue neutral, but it is designed to avoid general fund 100 deficit spending in 2627 and, therefore, avoid the need to use any of the 06/30/2026 general fund reserve carry forward unless the board approves use of the appropriated contingency funds.”

Sam, the district staff presenter, had earlier walked the committee through an 11x17 major‑variance packet and the budget slides used as the basis for the committee's review. Committee members thanked staff for responding to prior information requests and for the variance documentation that informed the decision to approve the resolution.

The clerk called roll after the motion was seconded; members responded affirmatively and the resolution passed. The meeting adjourned after a brief closing exchange.