MIFFLINTOWN — As a family man who doesn’t enjoy paying property taxes any more than anyone else, Juniata County School District Board of Directors President Jackson Albert said he understands the impact even small increases can have on local households.

But Albert, who represents Beale and Milford townships, also suggested that spreading out modest increases over time may be easier for taxpayers to manage than facing a larger hike all at once.

That perspective helped frame a broader discussion Wednesday night, as the school board reviewed its proposed 2026-27 budget and weighed whether to raise taxes despite not needing to.

The district has a list of costly projects that need to be addressed, but they remain on the backburner as funds are simply not available.

“Half a percent, a quarter of a percent — just to tread water and not to sink,” Albert said during the school board meeting in the administration building on Wednesday night, pointing to the choice between keeping taxes flat now or planning ahead for future financial pressures.

Meily noted that a 0.5% tax increase would generate about $120,000 in additional revenue. A drop in the bucket when it comes to paying for big-ticket projects. And that is the conundrum.

Balanced budget creates unusual flexibility

Unlike many districts that face deficits, Juniata County enters this budget cycle in a strong position. The preliminary budget is balanced, meaning the district can meet its projected expenses without any tax increase.

That has given board members the uncommon opportunity to make a decision based not on immediate need, but on long-term strategy.

Still, administrators cautioned that stability in the upcoming year doesn’t necessarily guarantee stability in those that follow. Rising expenses — particularly for employee salaries, healthcare benefits, transportation and utilities — are expected to continue trending upward.

At the same time, uncertainty around state and federal funding leaves open the possibility that revenues might not keep pace with those increases. The 2026-27 budget also includes the addition of a teaching position and a social worker.

“We are looking good for the upcoming year,” Juniata County School District Business Manager Rich Meily explained on Thursday. “The budget is balanced with no tax increase.”

Exploring options for the future

With those concerns in mind, directors are taking a closer look at how different tax strategies could affect the district’s financial outlook over time.

Directors asked Meily to prepare budget models reflecting potential tax increases ranging from 1 to 3 percent. Those scenarios will allow the board to see how incremental adjustments now could influence future budgets and potentially reduce the need for larger increases later.

The request reflects a growing interest among some directors in understanding whether a gradual approach could offer more stability — both for the district and for taxpayers.

Director Gabby Fisher tried to gauge the public’s preference on social media. Within hours of the meeting, she posted, “Inquiring minds would like to know … would you prefer? 1. Small tax increases annually or 2. Larger tax increases intermittently.”

Of course, the most popular answer was neither – no tax increase was the preference. However, given the two options, the clear majority favored small increases annually.

Balancing immediate relief and long-term planning

The discussion highlighted differing viewpoints on how to best move forward.

“There are a lot of pluses to having some kind of increase,” Meily said. “I realize we’ve raised taxes year after year after year. That’s what’s got us to this point.”

Some board members expressed hesitation about raising taxes when it isn’t necessary to balance the budget. With residents continuing to face economic pressures, they said holding the line could provide meaningful short-term relief.

Others pointed out that avoiding increases entirely might only delay the inevitable. If expenses continue to rise and revenues lag behind, the district could eventually find itself in a position where it must implement a more significant increase to catch up.

That possibility has raised concerns about what some described as a “spike” in future tax rates — a scenario many members said they would prefer to avoid.

Albert’s comments underscored that tension, noting the challenge of finding an approach that is both fiscally responsible and mindful of taxpayers.

Community impact remains central

Throughout the discussion, board members emphasized the importance of considering how their decision will affect the community.

In Juniata County’s rural setting, property taxes represent a significant portion of household expenses. Even a modest increase can have a noticeable impact, particularly for families on fixed or limited incomes.

At the same time, officials acknowledged their responsibility to ensure the district remains financially stable and able to meet its obligations in the years ahead.

Decision still pending

No formal vote was taken since Wednesday’s meeting was a workshop, and the issue is expected to carry over into upcoming meetings as the board continues its budget deliberations.

The models prepared by Meily will likely play a key role in shaping the final decision, giving directors a clearer picture of how different approaches could affect both current and future budgets.

For now, the board remains in evaluation mode, weighing the benefits of maintaining the current tax rate against the potential advantages of making a small, proactive adjustment.

A careful balancing act

The conversation made clear that even in a year with a balanced budget, financial decisions are rarely simple.

As Albert suggested at the outset, the directors are not just deciding what works for this year, but what will best serve taxpayers and the district over the long term.

Whether that means holding taxes steady or implementing a modest increase, the final decision will reflect an effort to balance immediate affordability with future stability — a challenge that continues to shape school budgeting across communities like Juniata County.

Next meeting

The school board will meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, at the administration building in Mifflintown.