Taxes are going up in Garnet Valley
District is still looking for ways to raise revenue
Taxes are going up in Garnet Valley.
At its May combined work session and legislative meeting, the Garnet Valley School Board approved the 2017-18 proposed final general fund budget totaling $103,295,307. This repre- sents a $2,523,748 (2.5 percent) increase in expenditures over the current year.
The proposed final budget requires a property tax millage rate of 31.75 mills for Chester Heights and Concord, and 32.101 mills for Bethel, differentiated due to participation in Delaware County Community College. These are an overall increase of 2.4 percent. A property assessed at $100,000 in Chester Heights or Concord would incur tax of 3,175.00, a $74.37 increase over the current year. A property assessed at $100,000 in Bethel would incur tax of $3,210.10, which represents a $75.15 increase. The proposed final budget increases are under the district’s Act I Index of 2.5 percent, which complies with a board resolution in January not to exceed the index by way of taking allowable exceptions.
Mandated costs drive the increases, including Special Education, adjustment to curriculum to meet state standards and—still a significant factor—the hike in pensions and benefits. The district is still working within existing contracts which have a relatively minor addition in expenses.
The budget continues to be supported largely by local taxes with slightly more than $83 million in taxes, or 82 percent of revenue. State revenue is just less than $19 million.
“The district intends to work over the next several weeks to identify additional revenue opportunities and expense reductions before the final budget is adopted in June,” said Christopher Wilson, Business Manager.
The 2017-18 proposed final budget in PDE format (PDE-2028) is available at the Garnet Valley District Administration Office, 80 Station Road, Glen Mills, PA. This document can also be downloaded from the district website: “http://www.garnetvalleyschools.com” http://www.garnetvalleyschools.com.