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Perrysburg treasurer warns budget gap by 2031, urges early planning
Summary
Treasurer Randy told the board the district remains cash-positive through fiscal 2030 but faces a projected $13 million shortfall afterward without changes; he cited property-tax reform, uncertain state tax-credit treatment, flat state aid and rising software and benefits costs.
Treasurer Randy told the Perrysburg Exempted Village School District board during the work session that the district is "positive cash balance through fiscal year 2030," but that the out-years present a material risk to operations.
"We're in a good position right now," Randy said, but he warned that by calendar year 2031 — after a key emergency levy collection window ends — the district could be running a roughly $13,000,000 deficit under current assumptions. He identified three main revenue pressures: recent property-tax reform, uncertainty about how a state tax credit will be administered (a possible $2 million swing), and limited updates to the state's base-cost funding that keep state aid essentially flat.
Randy provided several figures to illustrate the pressure: nearly $47,000,000 in property-tax collections that could be $2,000,000 lower depending on credit administration; a continuing millage that generates about $13,000,000; and an emergency levy that is providing roughly $11,000,000. He explained that the district's forecasting rules now require the board to align the forecast and the permanent appropriations more closely than in prior years, and that auditors will scrutinize disparities.
Board members and staff pressed staff on expense drivers and options. The treasurer said software and purchase services are a growing line-item and that last year's savings in those areas may not recur. He also flagged a capital maintenance need: a failing chiller that could cost in excess of $200,000 to replace and likely will be paid from the general fund.
The treasurer urged the board to use the next months for comprehensive planning, to set spending priorities and to engage the community and state representatives about school funding. "We have time to figure out what we wanna do," he said, while stressing that the window for meaningful change is limited.
Next steps: staff will present appropriations and the forecast for board approval at the next meeting and continue to refine assumptions for state aid, property tax receipts and anticipated retirements.
