Trending
JERSEY SHORE -- For almost an hour, members of the Jersey Shore Area School Board discussed what can be done to lower the expected budget deficit of over $900,000 that will result if the preliminary budget stands unchanged by the final vote.
At the last meeting, the budget presentation given by Ben Enders, the district's business manager, reported a deficit of $982,965. This week, Dr. Brian Ulmer, superintendent, offered some things that could be eliminated from the budget in order to reduce that figure.
Some of his suggestions include reducing the number of crossing guards from five to two, with one on Thompson Street and one on Locust Street; saving $10,000 by using school resource officers instead of event staff for evening events; not replacing cafeteria tables at Avis Elementary; removing iExcel out of the budget; removing a sound system out of the technology budget; and not purchasing a new timpani for the music department.
Those reductions would save about $375,000 in next year's budget, Ulmer said.
"If all of those things occur, your new budget deficit as of this evening would be $385,000," Ulmer said.
The board would need to find the money to offset the deficit either by raising the real estate tax rate, using the fund balance or using a contingency fund.
Enders recommended a 1.83% tax increase, which would increase revenue for the district by $72,000. District residents in Lycoming County would see their millage rate increase by 1.83% to 18.72 mills and, in Clinton County, it would be 13.98 mills, or a 2.23% increase.
"The reason why Clinton County is higher is that Clinton County is the rebalance county this year," Enders explained.
Referring to the Homestead/Farmstead monies the district will receive this year, Ulmer recommended that the board look at tax bills and the millage rate and adjust them so that the amount coming off because of those funds holds the tax revenue at the same rate.
The district's Homestead/Farmstead share has increased by $250,000. There are 4,588 parcels in the district that are Homestead/Farmstead, which is 47% of the total parcels.
The break-even point in Lycoming County for an assessed value is any parcel that has Homestead/Farmstead and is assessed at $169,000 will not see any increase in their tax bill. Those under $169,000 will see a decrease in their tax bills, Enders explained. There are 2,947 parcels that are assessed below that amount.
On the Clinton County side, any parcel assessed at $180,100 will not see an increase either. Those below that amount would see a decrease. In Clinton County there are 1,083 parcels at or below $180,100, Enders noted.
For the parcels not Homestead/Farmstead eligible, the average assessed value is at $89,590. If the tax rate is increased by 1.83% as Enders is proposing, those property owners in Lycoming County would see a $30.15 increase in their tax bill while Clinton County residents would see a $20.45 increase. The rate per $100,000 of a property's assessed value would increase by $33.65 for Lycoming County while Clinton County would be $31.76.
The tax rate will be voted on at the next meeting, May 20, which will then enable the final budget to be drawn up for approval on June 10.
Enders reminded the board that what they were voting on at the current meeting was the preliminary budget.
"That budget is based on the budget that I presented to you on April 22. It can and it will change," Enders stressed.
The board voted to approve the preliminary budget by an 8-1 vote. Board member Jessie Edwards was the lone no vote. Voting yes were Michael Allen, Harry Brungard, Kayla Calhoon, Timothy McDonnell, Cheri Peters, Bill Pfirman, Mary Thomas and Michelle Stemler.
The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 20 at the District Center, 175 A&P Drive.