ATGLEN, PA — The Octorara Area School Board met on June 20 and unanimously approved a final budget that includes a 2.6% tax increase.
The $59.62 million budget represents a nearly $1.6 million increase from the previous year, with most of the added expenses going towards employee salaries and benefits. The meeting was held in person and also via Zoom.
Properties in Lancaster County will be taxed at 26.06 mills, and those in Chester County will be taxed at 41.99 mills. The homestead/farmstead reduction for those who qualify will increase by $75 this year to $349 per property.
The final tax increase did not change from the rate used in calculating the preliminary budget. These new rates will reportedly help to offset the district’s expenses for the upcoming year.
Octorara Area School Board approved its final 2022-23 budget with few changes from the preliminary budget in May. One increase was $210,000 to hold a welding and metal fabricating course at the Octorara high school, but it was accompanied by revenues in the same amount for this career/technical course.
While this was the final Octorara Area School Board meeting where public comment is being taken through Zoom, officials state that there will still be some version of a streaming option so that meetings may be viewed virtually.
Just one Octorara Area School Board meeting is scheduled for July, on July 18, at the senior high school auditorium. Residents are being encouraged to attend and provide their insights virtually or in person.
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