Last night, the Blairsville-Saltsburg School Board gave preliminary approval to a budget for the next school year that will continue a trend of no tax increases for the district.
The 2017-2018 budget’s expenditures come out to $33,083,089, while its income comes to $32,851,525. Tax levels would remain at 15.98 mils for Indiana County Residents, and 109.86 mils for Westmoreland County residents. District Business Manager Gary Zuchelli had recommended a tax increase, which would have been the first tax increase in the district in eight years. The board decided against it, requesting a budget that did not increase taxes for district residents. Zuchelli said this year may be the last year the district can hold off on raising taxes, as increasing retirement costs and salaries combined with flat funding could cause some trouble.
The budget will be up for approval at a meeting on June 24th. In the meantime, it is on display at the district offices.
