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Somers 2014-15 School Budget Up For Vote On Tuesday

SOMERS, N.Y. -- Voters in the Somers school district will decide on Tuesday, May 20,  whether to approve the proposed 2014-15 budget.

Somers Middle School

Somers Middle School

Photo Credit: File Photo

The budget is $85,505,718 and contains a spending increase of 2.05 percent from the 2013-14 budget, which is $83,783,994.

The tax levy, which is the total amount of tax revenue, would increase by 1.54 percent, going from $72,431,823 to $73,545,938. The budget stays within the state mandated tax levy cap because of exemptions.

Meanwhile, the budget has a tax rate, that would increase by 1.38 percent. The proposed rate would go from $151.48 per $1,000 to $153.57 per $1,000.

Spending of reserve funds in the budget includes $1.3 million in fund balance and $200,000 from a retirement reserve.

The budget is not the only ballot item. Proposition 2  calls for the creation of a $5 million capital reserve fund. The money will be spent on roof replacement and repair, along with replacement of athletic fields, track, masonry, ventilating equipment and heating. Electrical and plumbing work, along with security measures, would also be paid for with the fund.

In the district's newsletter, which includes information about the budget and capital fund votes, school board President Sarena Meyer stated, '”In the “new normal” of budget planning under the state-imposed tax levy cap, our budget challenges have been mitigated somewhat by slightly increased property assessments and declining student enrollments. Still, careful spending and long-range planning are the cornerstones to ensuring our district’s financial future.”

The election, which will also include voting for school board seats, will be from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Somers Middle School's gym.

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