Bristol Twp: $145 school tax hike

From the BCCT.

$145 tax hike projected for 2009-10
By JOAN HELLYER

The owner of Bristol Township’s average assessed property would need to pay about $145 more in taxes in the upcoming school year to help cover district expenses, according to projections reviewed by the school board Tuesday night.

The 9.1-mill projected increase would be just shy of how much the board is allowed to raise property taxes without having to seek voter approval, as dictated by the state’s property tax relief law, said Gerald Barcik, the district’s business manager.

The board passed a resolution Tuesday night promising not to raise taxes more than 5.2 percent so it will not need to have a referendum in the May primary.

If projections remain the same, the 2009-10 tax increase would bring the district’s total millage to just more than 185 mills.

That means the owner of the district’s average assessment of $16,000 would pay about $2,970 in taxes during the upcoming school year.

About $3 million in additional salary and benefits are fueling the additional costs in the near $114 million budget, he said.

In addition to the additional tax revenue, Barcik suggested the board consider using $1.6 million of the district’s saving’s account, known as the fund balance, to prevent the need for an even greater tax increase.

Barcik said he did not include a potential gambling rebate into consideration that would reduce the tax hike because gambling revenues have declined around the state.

Board members will begin in March to take an in-depth look for ways to trim expenses, Barcik said. The board has until June 30 to adopt a final budget.