Salisbury School Board Considers 1.4 Percent Tax Increase

The Salisbury Township School Board previewed the first draft of the 2011-2012 preliminary budget that calls for a 1.4 percent millage increase, the maximum allowed under state law.

Calling the draft a “worst-case scenario,” the board on January 17 discussed the possibility they may need to further increase the millage if they cannot find ways to cut the budget or find additional revenue of $1.655 million.  If the board chooses to exceed the 1.4 percent increase, it would have to be presented to voters in a referendum.

Finance Director Christine Stafford and the board plan to look for ways to increase savings through allowable deductions, called exceptions, from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

 The proposed 1.4 percent increase, or .6362 mills, would bring total millage in the district to 46.0812, or a $45.17 increase to a resident with an average assessed home value of $71,000.  The millage increase would bring in $273,566. The preliminary budget showed total expenditures of $30,733,245 and total projected revenues of $28,392,796.

 If the school board agrees to a preliminary budget with a 1.4 percent increase, it would adopt the resolution January 19. If it agrees to exceed the maximum allowed millage, they would make the proposed preliminary budget available for public inspection January 27 and adopt it February 9.