Bristol School Taxes Rising

From the BCCT

Board to consider tax increase
JOAN HELLYER


The Bristol school board, citing the economic downturn, left open the possibility Thursday night of raising property taxes an average $128 to cover 2009-10 operating expenses.

But board members also reiterated that they are aiming to avoid a tax increase all together. However, it's too early to know if enough funds will be available to cover an estimated $900,000 revenue shortfall in the 2009-10 projected budget, they said.

So the board directed administrators to develop a preliminary budget that includes an 8 mill property tax hike. The increase would bring Bristol's total millage to 128 mills.

The $600,000 in additional revenue that would be produced with the tax increase could be used in part to cover next school year's expenses. Plus, the board could use reserve funds, revenue from building rentals and savings from a possible early retirement plan for district teachers to finance the $20.5 million projected budget.

As per the state's property tax law, known as Act 1, the board had until Thursday to decide if it needed to raise taxes more than 5.3 percent of the current millage rate.

Although the proposed 8 mills is more than the 6.36 mills allowed by the state index, the district will not have to seek voter approval in the May primary, said Joseph Roe, the district's business manager.

That's because Bristol can ask for state permission to use exemptions to raise taxes above the index to cover debt service and special education costs, he said.

President David Chichilitti, Vice President John D'Angelo, John Hill, Mary Jane Paglione, Jeff Paleafico, Louis Persichetti, and James Petrino voted to move forward toward enacting a preliminary budget. Joseph Fusco and Steve Cullen did not attend the meeting.

The proposed financial plan is available for public review until the board considers adopting it Feb. 12. Call 215-781-1011 for information on when the preliminary budget can be reviewed.