Holley school budget would increase taxes 1.95%, maintain programs

HOLLEY – The Board of Education has approved a $26,982,000 proposed budget for 2022-23 that would increase taxes by 1.95 percent.

The budget goes before voters on May 17. The budget is below the district’s allowable tax cap of 2.793 percent, said Sharon Zacher, the district’s assistant superintendent for business.

“We kept this the same as last year with hopes that a moderate increase will not burden our taxpayers while assisting the district with an increase in expenses,” Zacher said.

The budget maintains all current educational programs and represents a 3.18 percent budget-to-budget increase. Zacher said contractual obligations and inflation of supplies and materials are the main reasons for the budget going up.

The vote on May 17 includes a proposition to establish a capital improvements reserve fund at a maximum of $6 million. Zacher said the fund is needed as the district begins to prepare for the next capital improvement project.

Holley currently receives state aid of 92.4 for capital projects. The remaining 7.6 percent is the local share.

“The capital reserve would allow us to pick up that difference without a tax impact on our community,” Zacher said.

Proposition 3 is to authorize purchasing new school buses as a maximum of $334,000.

Proposition 4 would be authorizing the district to collect $194,966 for Community Free Library, which is up from the $189,287 for 2021-22.

There are two candidates for two seats on the Board of Education. The deadline for submitting petitions to be a candidate was Monday, April 18. Tracy Van Ameron and Anne Winkley, current board members, are running unopposed for three-year terms on the BOE.