J-M adopts budget with tax increase
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JEFFERSON – Jefferson-Morgan School Board adopted its 2015-16 budget Monday that includes a 1.48-mill tax increase, part of which will be earmarked for the middle-senior high renovation project.
The board adopted a $13.71-million budget under which the tax rate will increase from 25.63 mills to 27.11 mills. The increase means a homeowner with an assessed value of $50,000 will pay $74 more in school taxes next year.
The final budget is similar to the tentative budget approved last month, although some of the numbers were “tweaked,” business manager Jennifer Foringer said.
The board plans to earmark 0.55 of a mill of the 1.48-mill increase toward debt payments on the 30-year bonds issued for the renovation project. In the current year budget, the board also designated 1.07 mills for debt service for the project.
The board was permitted to increase the tax rate above the 0.69-of-a-mill inflationary index set under the Taxpayers Relief Act after it received an exception from the state for its high retirement costs.
In addition to the increase in retirement costs, the distict is expected to see cost increases for regular salaries and for health care costs, Foringer said.
Board member Jon Hildebrand voted against the budget. Board member Mark Pochron was absent from the meeting.
The board last month awarded contracts totaling $4.35 million for the middle-senior high renovation project. The work will include replacing sections of the roof and upgrading the electrical, plumbing and heating and air conditioning systems.
The board Monday approved a change order that will increase the scope of the project to include the replacement of the telephone, intercom and clock systems. Money for the additional work will come from the bond issue. Funds were left over after bids last month came in lower than expected.
The board agreed to authorize its architect to prepare the change order for Vern’s Electric by $130,474 to replace the telephone, intercom and clock systems.
The board tabled a similar motion for a change order to add to the project scope the replacement of the designated windows. The matter will be reviewed by the board’s building and grounds committee and possibly considered again next month.
The board approved the purchase of equipment for the high school cafeteria, including the purchase of a double-decker convection oven at a cost of $11,946; a dishwasher, $17,895; and a steamer, $14,030.