The new Moniteau School District budget will see the district spending $22,082,666 for the 2018-19 school year, which would include an increase of 2 mills in property tax.

Although the Moniteau School Board passed its budget with a tax hike, the increase is less than was included in the proposed budget the board passed in May.

The new budget will see the district spending $22,082,666 for the 2018-19 school year, which would include an increase of 2 mills in property tax and a planned deficit of $247,684.

In its proposed budget passed in May, the board was looking at a 3.01 mill increase and a deficit of more than $300,000.

Despite a 6-2 vote in May, board members found the latest budget more agreeable, accepting it with a 9-0 vote.

Board member JoAnn Duke said the tax increase was necessary, and the general fund balance is helping with the additional costs. She said newly added costs of security were also a factor in raising the tax rate.

The district also approved use of $547,684 of the district's fund balance with $300,000 as a budgetary reserve. The remaining $247,684 will be used to pay non-annually recurring costs to cope with the deficit.

A full story will appear in the Butler Eagle.