Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Adoption topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Marion Center Area SD adopts $31.26M budget and sets tentative tax increases
Summary
The school board approved a $31,260,148 general fund budget for 2026–27 and set a tentative tax structure that raises the real estate millage to 14.1060 (a 4.5% increase), with an earned income tax of 0.85% and a real estate transfer tax of 0.50%. The budget passed 8–1.
The Marion Center Area School Board on May 18 adopted the proposed 2026–2027 General Fund Budget totaling $31,260,148 and set a tentative tax structure intended to support the budget. The budget motion passed 8–1; board member Christy Young cast the sole opposing vote.
As part of budget actions, the board set the tentative real estate tax at 14.1060 mills (an increase of 4.5%), the earned income tax at 0.85% and the real estate transfer tax at 0.50%. The board stated these figures as a tentative structure to fund the approved budget. Mr. Hankinson moved the budget and Mr. Glasser seconded.
Community commenters urged caution about tax impacts. Jesse Shotts, identifying himself as Washington Township supervisor, urged careful scrutiny of the district budget and argued that the Clean and Green program has reduced township revenue: "Clean and Green hasn't just hurt the townships, it's hurting the school districts as well." Resident Amanda Bell asked the board to consider the burden on older residents: "Think about the many elderly in our community, where are they getting this tax increase?"
Board members acknowledged the difficulty of balancing priorities. Some who supported the budget said the district had set aside funds for capital planning; opponents stressed smaller projects could be prioritized instead of large expenditures. The board did not finalize a permanent tax levy at the meeting; the figures adopted were described as tentative pending the formal adoption process and final certification.
