School District taxes slated to fall this year

Cedar Grove-Belgium School District taxpayers will see less money exit their wallets this year despite approving a $21 million referendum in spring.

The tax rate per $100,000 of equalized value is expected to decrease from $7.79 to $7.03, a nearly 10% fall.

That translates to the owner of a $250,000 home paying $1,77.50 in school taxes, which is $190 less than last year’s $1,947.50.

The decrease, Director of Business Services Tera Rogers said at the annual meeting on Oct. 12, is due to some debt falling off, property value increasing by around 12% and Belgium’s tax incremental finance district closing. Property values in the district, she said, have increased by 25% in the past five years.

The levy is nearly $5.3 million, an increase of more than .93% from last year and was approved by a 9-0 vote. Nobody aside from district employees or board members attended the meeting.

That includes a 7.7% increase in salaries, which also covers the new Rocket Academy, the district’s charter school that is slated to open in fall 2023. The school’s director was hired this year.

It includes $1.75 million for referendum debt payments.

Revenue is up by nearly $500,000, but most of that is due to Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund grant program (ESSER) funds, Rogers said. The district, she said, will still be in a good financial position when those short-term funds go away.

A total of two and a half teachers and four aides were added. The breakdown is 1.5 4-k teachers to handle the new full-day program, one kindergarten teacher and four special education aides, Rogers said.

Other impacts on the budget are the student resource officer, which was added after last year’s budget was approved, and the closing of the pool due to maintenance issues. The pool brought in revenue through lessons and open swims.

“Not having the pool really changes things,” Rogers said.

District enrollment is down by two students on the third Friday count in September — 916 to 914.

The School Board could approve the 2022-2023 budget on Wednesday, Oct. 26.