Seneca Valley proposed budget include tax hike
JACKSON TWP — At a meeting Monday night, May 8, the Seneca Valley School Board advanced the district’s proposed budget for the 2023-24 school year. Part of the budget includes a real estate tax increase of 1.95% for those living in the district.
After 35 minutes of discussion, the nine-member board approved the proposed budget with a vote of 8-0, with Harmony representative Eric DiTullio abstaining.
As part of the spending plan, revenue is projected to increase by 4.45%, from $151.44 million to $158.44 million. Meanwhile, total operating expenditures are expected to increase by 3.38%, from $154.86 million to $160.09 million.
This means the district is expected to run at a deficit of just under $2 million for the 2023-24 school year. While steep, it will be a noticeable improvement from the deficit of $3.42 million that Seneca Valley is running this year.
The bulk of the increase in expenditures can be attributed to wage and salary increases, as well as a 3% rate increase in health care for employees, which will add up to $590,000. Rising inflation also inevitably will result in increased costs for utilities across all of the district’s buildings.
