Board adopts $12.01 million general-fund budget, adds $500,000 contingency

The board of the Liberty School District voted to adopt the 2526 fiscal-year budget under Resolution No. 2425 after a public hearing and staff presentation. The resolution, read and moved during the meeting, passed in a roll-call sequence with members recording their approval.

A staff member leading the budget presentation said, “we budgeted 12,012,851 in expenditures for the general fund.” The presentation showed the new figure is higher than last year’s $11,290,000 and includes a single $500,000 contingency entry that staff said is a wash in revenue and expenditures but provides capacity for unplanned needs such as an unexpected hire or a capital repair.

The budget summary by fund projects an ending general-fund balance that, after moving $102,641 into reserves, leaves the district conservatively positioned for the upcoming year. Staff told the board this is the first full year of new levy collections, increasing revenue by roughly $100,000 and showing a collection rate near 99%.

Board members asked procedural and accounting questions during the hearing, including how far the district can overspend without a formal budget extension and requests for detailed charts of current fund balances. Staff agreed to provide year-to-date account statements and bring printed summaries to future board meetings.

The board declared the motion adopted after roll-call; those who verbally recorded 'Aye' included members identified in the meeting as Chad, Jeremy and Mark. The board scheduled its next meeting for Wednesday the 27th at 7 p.m. and entered an executive session following the public business.