School Board to Talk Budget with Lower Casino Taxes

The will discuss its 2011-2012 budget at a work session tonight.

In February, the board adopted a preliminary spending plan of $120.1 million, a 5 percent increase over last fiscal year that was set to hike the average Bensalem property owner’s tax bill by $39.70.

That modest increase was largely reliant upon a $42.7 million tax assessment at Parx Casino that would have provided $5.95 million to the school district.

Casino owners, however, appealed that assessment, and the Bucks County Board of Assessment Appeals recently adjusted it to $40.5 million.

Under the new assessment, the district would lose over $300,000, but the casino could challenge it again in state court potentially reducing the district’s taxes even more.

Tonight’s budget meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Dorothy D. Call Administrative Center at 3000 Donallen Dr. adjacent to Valley Elementary School. The school board’s regular meeting will follow.