Referendum not up for formal discussion
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Projecting a minimal decrease in its tax rate, Salem Grade School electors unanimously approved the 2016-17 budget at its annual meeting Oct. 3.
With six residents, and five board members present, the 11 total electors learned officials expect a decrease of 1/100th of a percent, therefore, a relatively flat tax rate of $7.73 per $100,000 of equalized property value.
According to Business Manager Susan Jarvis, the minimal change is attributed to debt dropping off the district’s books, with no increase in its revenue limit.
The total levy of $5.7 million is projected to drop less than $1,000 for the 2016-17 school year.
Of the $5.7 million, $3.6 million comes from the general fund, with $1.5 million for the referendum debt service and $631,000 in non-referendum debt service.
The general fund covers operational expenses, which are projected to increase 2.6 percent from last year.
One factor leading to the increase is the implementation of a new math curriculum.
While officials project an increase in operation expenses, they anticipate a drop of a half percent in capital projects, and a 4.5 percent decrease in referendum debt service.
In regards to debt service, Jarvis reports the district reduced its long-term debt from $10 million to $8.5 million entering this year.
Additionally, the district plans to prepay $469,000 of its outstanding debt this coming year.
While taxpayers could see little change in their tax rate, one concern expressed at the annual meeting was the potential operational referendum discussed at earlier meetings.
Chris Skrzynecki, who previously expressed concern about the referendum, asked District Administrator David Milz whether the item is up for discussion.
While the referendum was not on the annual meeting agenda, Milz responded, stating officials have not formulated concrete numbers.
“We don’t have enough information to make a determination tonight,” Milz said.
Board salaries static
Like the tax rate, board salaries of $100 per meeting remained, despite an offer by board member Shane Gerber. Gerber, noting the potential referendum, offered to reduce his salary as a show of good faith with the community.