<\/p>\n
The Wyoming Area School Board at Wednesday\u2019s meeting proposed a 4.8% tax hike for the 2026-2027 school year, potentially raising taxes for the fourth year in a row.<\/p>\n
This tax increase, along with all other items in the budget, is subject to change. The final budget will be voted on in June.<\/p>\n
The initial proposed budget was approved with a vote of 7-1, with Pete Butera casting the single no vote.<\/p>\n
The proposed tax hike will be reflected differently in each of the counties Wyoming Area covers.<\/p>\n
For Wyoming County, taxes would increase 9.86% to 119.4070 mills. In Luzerne County, taxes would increase 3.94% to 22.6469.<\/p>\n
A mill is a $1 tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value.<\/p>\n
For example, based on the budget presentation provided by financial consultant Tom Melone, a homeowner in Luzerne County with a property assessed at $150,00 will pay an extra $128.69 in taxes, bringing the total to $3,397.04.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, a homeowner in Wyoming County with a property assessed at $10,000 would see an increase of $107.16 in taxes, bringing the total to $1,194.07.<\/p>\n
Increasing taxes by this rate would generate $837,151 in revenue for the district.<\/p>\n
The budget itself called for expenditures of $49,679,276 against revenue of $47,505,878, resulting in a shortfall of about $2.2 million, which will be covered by the fund balance.<\/p>\n
Expected funds from Gov. Josh Shapiro\u2019s state budget were not included in those numbers because that budget has yet to be approved.<\/p>\n
Expenses for the district increased this year, including $458,000 in wages, $750,000 for health care, and $210,000 in Cyber charter tuition.<\/p>\n
Additionally, there was a $110,000 decrease in assessed property values.<\/p>\n
The school board previously approved a 3.5% increase last year, a 6.5% increase in 2024 and a 5.5% increase in 2023.<\/p>\n
Going back further, Wyoming Area has upped millage almost every year for the past 14 years.<\/p>\n
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