REYNOLDS

Revision eliminates tax hike

After sending the 2000-01 budget back to the financial committee to eliminate a 1-mill tax increase, Reynolds school directors unanimously approved the $14.5 spending plan at a special meeting on Monday.

The board in May approved a tentative budget that included a 1-mill tax increase. Last month, Superintendent Dr. Charles M. Cagno said the board was split between raising taxes by 1 mill or not raising them at all. Some board members felt the district could operate without a tax increase.

Cagno said the board was able to eliminate the tax increase by leaving positions vacated by retirements and resignations open, including an elementary teacher’s aide position.

The final budget, supported by 126 mills, totals $14,496,044. The 1-mill increase would have brought in an extra $25,235.

Reynolds taxpayers saw a tax increase in 1999, when the board raised taxes 2 mills to finish financing building and renovation projects of recent years and to cover general operations costs.

Real estate millage is based on property assessments, which are one-third of a property’s 1970 market value. At 126 mills, taxes on a home assessed at $10,000 would be $1,260.

The Reynolds School District covers Pymatuning, Delaware and West Salem Townships and Fredonia. One mill for the average taxpayer in the district equals about $5.30.