In an effort to solve the continuing budget crisis in the Franklin County School system, the board of education has requested a 7-cent property tax increase. The Franklin County Commission will have to decide whether to accept this recommendation.
The school board and Director of Schools Rebecca Sharber have been struggling to have a budget for the 2014–15 year that would have a $3 million fund balance. With the proposed property tax increase, the fund balance would be approximately $2.4 million.
At the April 7 meeting of the school board, the draft budget showed a $1.2 million shortage, which included increases in insurance costs and retirement. At that time, the board asked Sharber to come back with a budget that had a $3 million fund balance.
Sharber reported she was unable to get there. Since then, she has been working with system staff to reduce projected expenses. Recommending a 7-cent tax increase was required to get the fund balance closer to $3 million. An earlier plan had recommended a 33-cent property tax increase. A majority of the county commissioners indicated they would not support such a large tax hike.
Because the school board cannot levy taxes, the final decision about the increase must be made by the commissioners. There has been no increase in appropriations from the county commission to the school system for 10 years. The Franklin County commissioners will meet again on June 16.
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