Board predicts no tax hike this year
By MICAIAH WISE, Sentinel reporter, mwise@lewistownsentinel.com
POSTED: May 9, 2008
MIFFLINTOWN — No tax increase is anticipated for the 2008-2009 fiscal year in the Juniata County School District, Business Manager Kenneth Eyler said Thursday evening during a school board workshop meeting. However, in order to allow that the school district would have to use $695,325 from its fund balance, Eyler said. Otherwise, the school district may have to implement a 3.53 mill tax increase, he said.
“We’re in a constant state of flux until the June 26 meeting. I anticipate the numbers will be better by then,” Eyler said.
The budget is preliminary, because the school district is unsure of the amount of government funding it will receive, he said.
School Board President Gary Zeiders said the potential transfer from the fund balance is tentative.
“Hopefully, the transfer from the funds will be a lot less — maybe none,” Zeiders said.
Eyler echoed his comment, saying the amount likely will be less. More accurate federal and state funding numbers will be available in June, he said.
Superintendent Kenneth Albaugh said the 2008-2009 budget has been a long, hard process for the administration.
“The board asked for a budget with no tax increase. We have done that,” Albaugh said.
While working to keep taxes down, the administration also strives to maintain the integrity of the education system, he said.
Eyler said the budget represents a $600,000 increase from last year. One of the largest increases comes from funding for charter schools, he said.
Salaries and wages increased slightly, but the percentage they represent in the total budget remain at 68 percent — the same as the 2007-2008 school year, Eyler said.
The school district also will see a decrease in local revenue due to Act 1 Property Tax Relief, he said. The difference will be made up by government funds from gambling revenue, he said.
Two weeks ago, the state said it would provide Juniata County School District with $520,000 as part of the homestead/farmstead relief act, Eyler said.
The school board plans to vote on the preliminary budget on May 15, and then vote on the final budget on June 26, he said.
The budget will be available for the public to review beginning today, Eyler said. Copies will be available at the Juniata County Library, the East Waterford and Richfield post offices, the Juniata County Courthouse, the school district’s business office and its Web site, www.jcsd.k12.pa.us, Eyler said.
A regular Juniata County School Board meeting will be held at 8 p.m. May 15 at Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary School, in Mifflintown.
