The Karns City Area School Board approved a 2024-25 budget that does not include a tax increase, but Butler County residents in the district will see a slight increase due to state equalization.

The board adopted the $26.5 million final budget June 17 along with a real estate tax levy resolution that sets the tax rates for district residents living in Butler, Armstrong and Clarion counties.

The state uses gaming revenue to equalize real estate tax rates in districts like Karns City that span multiple counties, Ritzert said. The tax rates are based on real estate values, which are higher in Butler County.

Taxes in the Butler County part of the district will increase from the current rate of 100.2 mills to 102.89 mills while the tax rate in Armstrong County will decrease from 43.9 mills to 38.53 mills and the rate in Clarion County will decrease from 44.6 mills to 39.09 mills.