Freeport Area School District set to raise taxes next school year

Taxpayers in the Freeport Area School District will be paying more in real estate taxes next school year.

For residents who live in the Armstrong County portion of the district (Freeport, South Buffalo), taxes would increase by 4.8%. That would bring the tax rate to 67.4 mills.

For those living in Buffalo Township, Butler County, a 6.1% increase would raise the millage to 159.

Based on median assessments, that translates to about $101 more in school taxes per year for the average Armstrong County taxpayer, and about $187 more for those in Butler County.

In a presentation given at a May school board meeting, Business Manager Ryan Manzer said there were several increased expenses the district needed to contend with next school year.

He cited a $352,000 increase in salaries and a $753,000 increase in tuition as major cost hikes. Other increased expenses included the price of health care, which is slated to jump by $154,000 next school year.

Manzer told the Tribune-­Review on Friday that the tax hikes proposed in the current version of the budget are subject to change. He’s still waiting for both Armstrong and Butler counties to certify their assessed values, which could impact their budgeting.

“Once I receive those numbers, this budget is going to be updated,” he said. “That will potentially impact the tax rates in both counties.”

The millage rate is different for taxpayers in different counties, in part, because those counties held countywide reassessments at different times, decades apart. That means the value of a mill in each county varies greatly. The value of a mill is adjusted each year using a formula that is based on inflation.

The tax increase was a concern for several members of the board, who were split 4-4 in an initial vote.

Board President Daniel Lucovich voted in favor of passing the preliminary budget, along with Michael Huth, Gregory Selinger and Adam Toncini.

Christine Davies, John Haven, Frank Prazenica and Richard Hill voted against the budget.

“I don’t agree with tax increases,” Prazenica said. “We need to work on the expense side.”

Lucovich acknowledged concerns about raising taxes. But he voted in favor of the preliminary budget, saying it was important to move forward with the process.

The preliminary budget needs to be formally posted for 30 days before the board can vote to pass a final budget. Because of that timeline, Lucovich told board members it was imperative they move along with the proposed budget.

Christine Davies initially voted against the budget but changed her vote to break the tie.

“I will change my vote, but I am not going to accept the tax increase, and I am doing this just to expedite the scenario,” she said during the meeting.

The board plans to vote on a final budget in June.