Plum board approves budget with 6.2% tax hike
Plum School District property owners will see their real estate tax bills go up 6.2% next year.
The school board voted 8-1 Tuesday night to adopt their estimated $74.3 million spending plan with the tax hike for the 2024-25 school year.
Board member Lindsay Arenth dissented.
The 6.2% increase includes half of 1% going toward a future building project. It is under the district’s state- imposed inflation limit of 7.1%.
The owners of a home at the district’s $116,700 median assessed value would see their annual school property tax bill increase by $160, from $2,570 to $2,730.
There are no cuts to programs or staffing.
Arenth said she opposed such a high tax hike and would like to have seen a compromise.
The school board had opted not to increase property taxes in six of the past 10 years, including the current school year.
Expected revenues include about $43.38 million from local sources, $30 million in state funds and $836,000 from federal sources.
Expected expenses include $31 million for regular elementary/secondary programs, $22.5 million for support services, $8.55 million for special elementary/secondary programs, $5.05 million for student transportation, $2.77 million for debt service, $1.57 million for student activities and $871,000 for vocational education.
District Business Manager Ryan Manzer said the budget did not change since it was proposed in April.
The major challenge was making up an estimated $1.1 million loss in federal covid relief monies, Manzer said.
Mark Stropkaj, board member and lead finance liaison, said the board and administration spent a lot of time crafting the budget
“I know it’s a tough decision to come to the taxpayers with these potential increases,” he said.
No residents commented on the budget before the board voted.
District officials encouraged property owners to take advantage of the homestead/farmstead exclusions and the Allegheny County discount program for seniors, which could lessen the tax spike.
To learn more about those opportunities, visit pbsd.net/TaxDiscountPrograms.aspx.
Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at mdivittorio@triblive.com.
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