Feb 3, 2015 2 min read

Trinity Area School District plans to vote on a preliminary 2015-16 budget Feb. 12.

The $51,703,967 tentative spending plan calls for a 2.5-mill property tax increase, but that figure is expected to change before the final budget is adopted before June 30.

Director of Fiscal Services David Roussos said the district is considering applying for an exception to Pennsylvania Act 1, which establishes an index by which school districts can raise taxes annually.

If the state Department of Education approves the exception, Trinity would have permission to raise property taxes higher than the predetermined cap would allow.

Exceptions are granted if a school district needs money to meet pension obligations, pay for special education, make payments on previous construction debt, or pay for construction that was approved by voters.

Trinity’s 2015 index is 2.3 percent. The current tax rate is 107.7 mills.

Trinity, like many school districts, is facing state-mandated costs including employee retirement contributions that are driving districts’ costs upward.

Trinity’s projected revenue for next year is $50,056,792.

Roussos said the board and administration plan to continue to rework the budget as additional figures, including those for proposed state funding and health care rates, become available.

The preliminary budget is available for review in the administration office from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.