Residents of Quakertown Community School District may see a slight increase in their taxes next year.
District Business Administrator Robert Riegel presented the preliminary budget for 2015-16 at Thursday evening's board meeting.
Based on preliminary figures, the average taxpayer will see a $85 increase in their tax bill.
"It [preliminary budget] really is a snapshot," Riegel said. "It begins the budget process."
The district's current milage rate is 146.65. Under the preliminary budget, the rate would increase to 149.88, or 3.23 percent.
Revenue for the preliminary budget amount to 97,429,925 and expenditures amount to $100,289,354.
The new fund balance under the preliminary budget would decrease from $2.8 million to $1.2 million.
Riegel told board members the balance remains strong.
"We have a pretty healthy fund balance," Riegel said.
The tax increase is necessary to offset a budget shortfall of $4.1 million.
Riegel noted that the district, the past five years, has seen modest tax increases of $61 per taxpayer, or 1.66 percent.
"Over the last five years we did pretty good," he said.
Roughly 75 percent of revenue is generated from local taxes.
The administration will continue to work on the budget through February and March.
Under state law, districts must submit their final budget to the state by June 30.
In other business, resident Bill Smith appeared before the board, requesting the district approve a lacrosse team exclusively for boys.
His son, Jordan, is a student at the high school and a lacrosse player.
Smith has overseen Quakertown boys' lacrosse teams in the community.
According to Smith, running the team would cost $5,000 per year and be funded through donations and fundraisers.
"We feel we can support this going forward," Smith said.
Smith hopes the team can begin participating in league play this spring.
District Superintendent Dr. William Harner commended the Smith family for their interest and commitment to advocating for the creation of the team.
The team would mirror the girls' lacrosse team and would comply with Title IX requirements.
"It would be under the same parameters of the girls' program, with minimal costs," Harner said.
The sport, Harner said, continues to grow in popularity and offers the highest number of untapped scholarships.
"I'm personally thrilled," Harner added.
The board agreed to discuss the creation of the team further at the Feb. 12 meeting.
Also during the meeting, the board accepted the resignation of former board member Anna Cattie, effective Jan. 22.
Cattie submitted her resignation Jan. 20, citing family reasons. She served on the board for three years.
"She really did bring a different perspective to the board," board President Paul Stepanoff said.
The board will advertise for the open board position beginning Jan. 23. It has 30 days to fill the position.
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