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City schools looking at tax jump
Staff writer
Washington School District's tentative $24.2 million operating budget for the next school year includes a proposed 7-mill tax increase.
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Jeffrey Fine, a member of the board's finance committee who helped create the budget, said at Monday's board meeting that revenues are down, expenses are up and the district isn't sure how much money it will get from the state or federal government. Fine said that's why the millage increase is recommended.
He said that would mean an average increase in Washington tax bills of $52.32. It would be an increase of $124 in East Washington, he said. The millage rate would be 132. It's been 125 mills since 2005-06.
"As more information comes in from the state, we are going to work very hard to come off that 7 mills," he said.
Local tax revenue is down $212,000, he said. The tentative budget must be approved by Feb. 18, which is before the district will get specific details from the state about its budget, Fine said.
Business manager Rick Mancini said the district's budget does not include more money from the state than it received last year. Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed budget includes more money for education, but it still has to be passed by the Legislature, Mancini said.
The district will work on the budget until a final one is passed in late May or early June, he said.
"I do think the 7 mills is high," Mancini said. "I do expect it to come down."
Mancini said two areas are stretching the budget. Health-care costs are up to $4.6 million from $3.4 million in 2003-04. Tuition and transportation cost $1.9 million in 2003-04. They cost $3 million this year, primarily because of an increase in tuition costs, Mancini said.
As he figures out the budget, Mancini knows the salaries of nine employees. The district is negotiating contracts for the rest, he said.
school tax : 2/12/2009
Don't know where the money is going to come from?..raise taxes!! Don't you think, with the economy they way it is and unemployment on the rise, that we should start living within our means. Everyone I know is cutting back, maybe the school should too, especially with enrollment down. No wonder families are moving out of Washington, if they can. No one wants more taxes, how about everyone giving their fair share including non-profits, the Hospital and W&J College, all of which have a lot of non-taxable property. The Casino was suppose to eliminate property taxes, what happened there? We all are faced with rising health costs, as a private citizen I either bite the bullet, find a cheaper plan or do without. Why is East Washington tax twice as high as Washington?
Taxes : 2/12/2009
I left Washington and moved to Wv. Does the City of Washington see that alot of people are leaving. The taxes in Washington are out of controll. I would never move back there.
Taxes : 2/12/2009
You people need to get with the program. Washington has been living on borowed time. You want to take action then merge with Trinity and get it over with. W & J and the hospital won't pay.....
