VERNON TOWNSHIP — With several citizens asking the board to consider the local economy before finalizing its budget, and a forewarning by Republican state Rep. Brad Roae that the state is three weeks behind in its own budget process, Crawford Central School Board members voted 8-1 to pass a resolution to approve the tentative 2008-09 preliminary budget Monday that would increase the average property owner’s tax bill $101 over last year.

But with an anticipated homestead or farmstead exclusion of $208 on the horizon, the tax hike bite is expected to be less painful for qualifying property owners.

Frank Schreck cast the lone dissenting vote on the tentative budget.

The final budget will be adopted at a meeting June 23.

The current proposed budget for the 2008-09 school year is $52 million, topping last year’s $49 million budget.

Last year’s Pennsylvania budget was passed three weeks late, and based on that, it could be well into July before the next budget is finalized, Roae said during Monday’s meeting. He also reminded the board that people are concerned about their property taxes and that the board’s decision would impact the constituency. Roae’s Sixth District covers all of eastern Crawford County.

Currently residents of Crawford Central School District pay 42.23 mills in school property taxes. Based on the current assessed value of a statistically-average home of $28,300, the owner pays $1,195.11 in property taxes. If the 3.58-mill boost makes it into the final budget, the millage would be 45.81 mills. With 1 mill equaling $1 for every $1,000 in a property’s assessed value, the owner of that home would pay $1,296.42. This amount does not, however, include the estimated $208 homestead or farmstead rebate that will be applied to qualifying property owner’s bills from gambling revenues.

Under Act 1 of Special Session 2006, which limits a school district’s ability to increase property taxes without seeking voter approval through a referendum, Crawford Central is permitted to raise property taxes by up to 4.01 mills, making it 46.24 mills, resulting in the average property owner receiving an increase of $126.

The preliminary budget for the upcoming academic year includes a $3 million unreserved fund balance for appropriations and reserves which would carry-over from the current year. This money, according to Guy O’Neil, business manager, is designated for specific programs and is kept separate.

According to Superintendent Mike Dolecki, the “no-frills budget” addresses the rise in inflation and the fixed costs which are “much higher than the district’s revenue.” Line item increases in expenditures include $600,000 in salaries, $540,000 in benefits, and $39,000 in retirement contributions. The district is also planning for a $190,000 increase in transportation expenses such as gasoline and transportation-related employees’ salaries.

Though the building renovation project for First District and Second District elementary schools is still in the bidding stage, the district is earmarking $550,000 of that money for the building project.

The board also approved a resolution to make the proposed final budget available for inspection no later than Wednesday to be in compliance with Pennsylvania law which requires the preliminary budgets be ready for public examination 30 days before its annual budget meeting which it set for June 23.

Pennsylvania’s 501 school districts must have final budgets be in place by June 30.

Penni Schaefer can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at pschaefer@meadvilletribune.com.