USC School Board Working on Budget without Property Tax Increase
The Upper St. Clair School Board does not expect to raise property taxes this year, but the countywide reassessment might throw a wrench into that plan for homeowners.
The Upper St. Clair School Board does not expect to raise property taxes this year, but the countywide reassessment might throw a wrench into that plan for homeowners.
The school board unveiled its $66.3 million preliminary budget on Monday night with no plans for a tax increase.
However, the actually property tax millage rate, which must be lowered so the district doesn’t net a revenue windfall, probably won’t be determined until May when the county sends out more accurate assessment figures. The township cut its millage rate by about 16 percent earlier this year, but the figures are expected to be different with more high-value commercial appeals still awaiting a decision.
The 2013-14 budget expects a $160,000 boost in basic education funding from the state. The district also expects to save $750,000 in personnel salary with the expected retirement of 15 teachers. However, that will also add about $200,000 in retiree health care costs.
The district is also budgeting for a 7 percent increase in health care costs, which is about $400,000.
The school board is expected to prepare the preliminary budget proposal on April 22 before voting on the final draft on May 28. School districts are required to pass their budgets before June 30.
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Upper St. Clair School District Central Office
1820 McLaughlin Run Rd, Upper St Clair, PA
PK3
7:05 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
It's always someone else's fault federal,state or county when it comes to increased taxes from USCSB. Remeber people USCSB applied for an exemption to the state to raise our taxes close to the max last year also, USCSB is getting more money due to property assesment increases which they don't tell us about. The USCSB money monster never ends. money,money,money.
Mike Jones
9:01 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
@PK3... That isn't correct. They are not supposed to be getting any revenue increases from the property reassessments. Now, they can try to slide a backdoor tax increase in, but we'll be keeping a close eye on their revenue budget stream.
Glenn Robinson
10:29 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
My understanding is that when a reassessment kicks in, the tax rate must be adjusted down to limit actual increase in taxes. But that doesn't mean there will be no increase, it just cannot exceed a certian amount.
Mike Jones
11:32 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
According to state law, they must adjust the millage rate so it is revenue neutral. That is different than municipal governments, which are allowed up to a 5% increase in revenue from the reassessment. Now, since there are still commercial developments appealing their assessment, the numbers are still murky. We won't know the exact 2013 revenue number until the end of the year.
bob balmer
12:08 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Is patch going to have fact check on all posts? You would be one busy journalist!
Mike Jones
1:30 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Isn't that our jobs?
Mark Trombetta
6:11 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
5% is correct.....and you can count on it. If the millage stays the same, it looks as if they did not raise taxes, when in fact they do raise them up to 5% by way of the County assessment which allows up to a 5% windfall. An old Bolas/Petersen staple; every three years at one point.
Becky Brindle
11:14 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Municipalities can take no more than a 5% windfall. School districts can take none.
Oren Spiegler
6:41 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
I have no doubt that Dr. Trombetta is correct. He knows this overtax and overspend bunch as well as anyone, having served with them on the Board. As we review our property tax bills in 2013, we can laugh at Governor Rendell's empty promise of 2002 to reduce by at least 30% or eliminate this burden. I would venture to say that all of us are paying more today...much more...than in 2002, the year in which we tragically embarked upon the long Rendell reign.