According to information provided by the Parkland School District, school directors approved plans May 17 for a 1.2-percent tax increase with a 2022-23 Proposed General Fund Budget amounting to $216,244,747.

The 2022-23 Proposed General Fund Budget represents a 7.5-percent increase of 2021-22 expenditures.

To minimize the tax rate for taxpayers, the proposed budget includes the appropriation of $5,074,177 of Fund Balance to balance the 2022-23 General Fund Budget.

The balanced budget would provide for a 1.2-percent tax increase.

The proposed budget represents a total mill rate of 15.90 or a 1.2 percent millage increase and is a balanced budget.

The district will continue to monitor and examine all aspects of the budget until it seeks final board approval on June 21.

The value of the Homestead/Farmstead gaming credit is projected to be $139.92 per approved property which helps offset property taxes.

The Homestead credit is $28.58 more than last year’s credit.

Key points of the 2022-23 proposed budget are:

•The 2022-23 proposed final budget is a culmination of the budget process which began back in the fall. The focus for this budget has been on five areas: students and educational programs, growth of the district, planned use of federal funding, debt service, and fund balance appropriation.

•Parkland real estate value is increasing (as is real estate across the area). The updated total taxable assessed value from Lehigh County as of May 9 is valued at $8,862,949,600, an increase of almost $322,871,249 as compared to the current year.

•As of May 9, 1 mill of property tax is projected to produce $8,757,855. This represents an increase of $474,029 compared to the previous year due to natural real estate growth.

•The Homestead/Farmstead allocation from the state (property tax relief/gaming money) is valued at $2,241,123, which is an increase of $440,964 over the current year. Although budget neutral, meaning it does not reduce Parkland’s shortfall since it’s a pass-through benefit for taxpayers, this is an increase for the taxpayer of $28.58 for the year and will result in a total tax reduction per eligible taxpayer of $139.92.

•Last year’s 2021-22 budget required a tax increase of 0 percent with a 2021-22 Proposed General Fund Budget amounting to $201,072,623.

•The budget includes a board-endorsed plan for a 10th year of capital improvement projects that includes the continuing renovations at Schnecksville Elementary School, a Kratzer Elementary School addition, improving the bus loop at Fogelsville Elementary School, planning the building of a new operations center, and various roofing, bus and technology purchases.

•This year, both the teacher’s and support staff unions ratified contracts that help the District project salaries and benefits in the coming years.

•The average residential assessed value is $245,193. Residential taxpayers represent 61 percent of Parkland’s tax base with 21,862 residential properties. Approximately 3,475 are commercial/industrial/agricultural properties making up 39 percent of the tax base. In total, there are 25,377 taxable properties.

•The allowable Act 1 Index is 3.4 percent. Parkland’s proposed final budget includes a 1.2-percent increase.

•Parkland has not raised taxes to the allowable Index in the last six years. For the past two years, there has been no tax increase.

Superintendent Dr. Mark Madson noted:

“Investing in our students and curriculum is Parkland’s primary mission, however the district also needs to continue to invest in its facilities to maintain an environment conducive to learning.

“This budget represents the most essential educational needs of students while considering our current economic climate and the ability and willingness of our community to support a quality, comprehensive educational program.

“I appreciate the complex planning process and thank all of the departments within our organization who have contributed to budget deliberations.”