School District OKs Special Exception for Higher Taxes

The Bensalem Township School Board on Wednesday adopted its $132.4 million preliminary budget, putting the wheels in motion for a tax increase roughly 1.5 times higher than the amount allowed under state law. 

Under Act 1, school districts are permitted to raise taxes in the 2014-2015 school year by a maximum of 2.1 percent. The district, however, is seeking special exceptions, which, if granted, would increase taxes by an estimated 3.2 percent. 

The proposed millage rate for the 2014-2015 fiscal year is 148.9692. For the owner of a home with an average assessed value of $21,000, that translates to $97 more per year in taxes for 2014-2015 as compared to currently, Kenneth Medina, the district’s director of business operations told Patch previously.

Medina said on Wednesday that he did not know the State Department of Education's "time line" for approving special exceptions, but said the final authorization would be necessary prior to final budget adoption, which is slated for June 18. 

Board members Kevin McKay and Matthew Grodsky voted against adoption of the preliminary budget. 

Medina told Patch earlier this month that the $78 million renovation and addition at Bensalem High School, as well as a 21 percent increase in the Public School Employees' Retirement System and double-digit medical insurance costs warranted the need for taxes higher than permitted under Act 1. 

Next steps

• The school board will hold a budget work session on Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m.
• Adoption of the proposed final budget is slated for May 14 at 7:30 p.m. 
• A public question and answer session for the proposed final budget will be May 28 immediately following the 7:30 p.m. action meeting. 
• The final budget will be adopted on June 18 at 7 p.m.