Big Spring board adopts $67.4M budget with 3.25% tax increase, orders performance audit

The Big Spring School District board voted 5–4 on June 8 to adopt a $67,422,175 general fund budget for the 2026–27 school year that includes a 3.25% increase in the real‑estate tax rate.

During a lengthy debate, administrators said changes since the proposed final budget — chiefly county updates to homestead/farmstead allocations and an increased collection rate — produced roughly $67,000 in additional local revenue and allowed a slight reduction in the originally proposed millage increase. “We were able to add an additional 67,000 in local revenue, allowing us to reduce the original proposed millage rate,” said Mrs. Lentz during her finance presentation. The final package requires $27,810 from the unassigned fund balance to balance revenues and expenditures.

Board members offered several competing amendments before the final vote. An amendment to set a 0% tax increase failed on a 5–4 count. A later amendment — added to the main motion before final adoption — directs administration to seek options for a third‑party performance audit to identify potential savings and report recommendations back to the board. The chair explained parliamentary outcomes during the debate: “So the no’s have it… And that means the amendment dies or does not pass,” while the board later confirmed the performance‑audit requirement by roll call.

Supporters of the tax increase said it preserves programs and addresses rising costs such as pension and health‑care contributions, while opponents cited community hardship and delinquent taxpayers and urged tighter internal cuts instead of raising rates. After procedural votes, the main motion (3.25% increase plus the audit request) passed by roll call 5–4.

Next steps: with the budget adopted, administration will work with the tax vendor to print and mail tax bills by July 1 and submit required state reports. The board also directed staff to return with options and cost estimates for the performance audit.