DUNMORE - The Dunmore School Board anticipates a 2.2 percent tax hike to offset higher Social Security costs on higher budgeted salaries and increased retirement rates.
Directors agreed at a work session Monday night to approve the estimated $18,453,218 proposed budget at Wednesday's meeting. With an anticipated $17,280,348 in revenue in 2013-14, the district will operate on a deficit of about $1.17 million, pulling funds from cash reserves to cover the difference.
The millage rate will increase from 98.2879 to 100.45. A mill is a $1 tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value.
The move will mean an average tax increase of about $23.79 next year for Dunmore taxpayers, based on a median assessed value of $11,000.
District officials said many expenditures are beyond the district's control, such as an estimated $400,000 increase in Public School Employees' Retirement System rates.
Dunmore officials said there's not much more they can do to alleviate rising education costs. "There's no place left to cut here," Superintendent Richard McDonald said.
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