Crawford Central considers tax increase for Crawford County

May 14-- May 14--VERNON TOWNSHIP -- Crawford Central School Board discussed a tax increase for Crawford County residents in the district during Monday's work session.

In the proposed general fund budget for the 2019-20 school year, the real estate millage for Crawford County residents is expected to increase 0.59 mills to a total of 53.20 mills. The figure is a decrease from the 1.73 mills discussed by the board in April.

One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 in a property's assessed value. The district's current millage rate is 52.61. If taxes are increased 0.59 mills, taxes on a property with the district's median assessed value of $29,000 would increase to $1,542.80.

The tax increase is expected to be combined with a tax cut of 1.96 mills for French Creek Township in Mercer County, reducing the millage rate to 90.06.

An additional $1.9 million from the district's fund balance would need to be used to achieve a balanced budget of $63.5 million. The fund balance is expected to be reduced to $13 million overall if that was to take place. The fund balance monies would go toward an emergency reserve, capital projects for district facilities and to technology and other projects.

Following the work session, District Business Manager Guy O'Neil explained the tax cut for French Creek Township as a product of fluctuating assessment values.

O'Neil also said the district is facing a more than $1.6 million increase in expenditures from medical insurance, teacher salaries, pensions, special education and tuition costs.

Crawford Central's enrollment has also declined -- as of May 1, the district was down 310 students since the 2014-15 school year.

On a different note, O'Neil showed the board that the district's debt would be lowered significantly over the next decade, from $4 million in 2020 to about $180,000 by 2026.

The school board is expected to vote on the proposed general fund budget at its next meeting, which is at 5:30 p.m. May 20 at the Instructional Support Center, 11280 Mercer Pike. The board must adopt a final budget by June 30.

Tyler Dague can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at tdague@meadvilletribune.com.

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