Despite adverse economic conditions, taxpayers in the Bristol Township School District will not see a tax increase.
Last week, the school board voted to approve the $146,487,687 million 2020-2021 spending plan that will keep the millage rate at 220.14, the second highest in the county. The median school tax bill for Bristol Township homeowners is $3,877.
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The budget calls for $139,165,372 in revenues and plans to draw $7.3 million from the $26 million general fund to fill a projected budget gap without raising taxes.
The 2020-2021 budget includes a roughly $3 million cost increase over the 2019-2020 spending plan.
With the pandemic, the district is budgeting expect a roughly $2.4 million drop in revenues since the last pre-COVID-19 projection.
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District Business Manager Josh Sweigard said during a school board meeting earlier this month that the district looked at revenue figures from the Great Recession to plan for the uncertain future.
Another uncertainty for spending is the operations of schools come the new school year and COVID-19-related supplies that will be needed, Sweigard said.
The district, which is receiving state and federal funds to assist with COVID-19 impacts, has budgeted $500,000 in additional transportation expenses, $1.6 million in special education costs, and $300,000 for cleaning costs and supplies.
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To keep cost in line over recent years, the district has been shrinking staffing through attrition and keeping other spending in check.
Sweigard said the district needs to grapple with paying for needed maintenance upgrades and projects. His budget presentation notes the spending plan does not include potential costs for pay increases for unsettled labor agreements, including the teachers’ contract.
The 2019-2020 fiscal year is expected to have spending come in slightly under budget, Sweigard said.
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Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the Bristol Township School District will have the highest school tax millage in the county for 2020-2021. With their recent vote, the Morrisville School District budget for 2020-2021 is higher and the Bristol Township School District comes in at second highest.
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