Northern Lehigh School District likely to see 1.5-mill tax increase

Mar 10, 2010 — The Morning Call

Joanna Poncavage

Mar. 10, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Residents of Northern Lehigh School District are likely to see a 1.5-mill real estate tax increase in the district's 2010-11 budget, about half the average increase across the state.

During Monday night's board meeting, business manager Jeremy Melber presented variations of a preliminary budget expected to go to the board's finance committee next month. The new budget totals $29.6 million. Last year's budget was $29.3 million.

The comparatively small tax hike is expected in spite of growing expenses, including a 20 percent increase in health insurance costs, a 30 percent increase in electric rates, and an 8 percent increase in retirement costs. Next year's budget will also be the first to include debt for the $20 renovation of Slatington Elementary School.

The expected increase in energy costs is due to rate increases and in spite of recent projects costing $2.3 million to improve energy efficiency in the district's buildings.

The millage rate for the district is now 62.873. A new millage rate of 64.373 would increase the real estate tax on a home assessed at $50,000 by $75 to $3,218.

"We are doing everything we can to be fiscally conservative and still offer a great education," Superintendent Michael. W. Michaels said.

In other business, the board approved the district's contribution to Lehigh Carbon Community College's sponsor budget for 2010-11. Northern Lehigh's share is $243,565, an increase of $608, or 0.003 percent, from last year.

The district's enrollment in the community college is now 166, up 4.7 percent from last year. LCCC's total sponsor budget is $6.3 million, an increase of 2.9 percent, or $180,000, from last year.

The board also approved a $915,755 contribution to Lehigh Career and Technical Institute's 2010-11 general fund budget, a 2.9 percent increase over last year.

Two board members were given Pennsylvania School Boards Association recognition awards for their years of service. Mathias Green has been a member of the Northern Lehigh board for 32 years. Lauren Ganser has served for eight years.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0001-42754782