`Treasurer proposes tax budget for 2000-01`

By Erin Remai
Herald Staff Writer

Brookfield Local School’s treasurer Michelle Orahood held a hearing Monday for the district’s proposed $9,035,000 2000-01 tax budget.

Mrs. Orahood said a tax budget is commonly referred to as the “asking budget” and should not be confused with the district’s official operating budget, known as the appropriation resolution. “You have to show a need to justify revenue for millage,” Mrs. Orahood said. “We have to show how much we can spend.”

Since the law provides that school districts can receive no more income in the next calendar year than it asked for in the previous tax budget, the projected expenses tend to be inflated, she said.

In December or January of each year, every school district must complete a tax budget, which must be adopted by the school board no later than Jan. 15. The budget is then reviewed by the Budget Commission, composed of the county auditor, county treasurer and county prosecutor. The panel determine whether all tax levies are properly authorized, Mrs. Orahood said.

The budget reflects the 1 mill permanent improvement levy, which generates about $95,000 a year for capital improvements. It also includes a 4 percent salary increase for teaching and nonteaching employees, according to their contracts, Mrs. Orahood said.

A mill is $1 for every $1,000 in assessed property value. At 45 mills a home with an assessed value of $5,000 would carry a tax bill of $225.

Also included in the budget is a list of permanent improvements the board wants if tax dollars allow for them.

Superintendent Joseph S. White “has discussed these items with the board ... the final estimates are not determined,” Mrs. Orahood said. “The availability of money and the priority list will determine what we will do.” She did not say what those improvements might be.

The budget is available for public review in the treasurer’s office until Jan. 6. The board is expected to act on it that night.

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