RTM School Board Proposes $84M Budget

The Rose Tree Media School Board proposed the 2013-2014 general fund budget at a special meeting on April 9.

The final budget adoption is expected to take place at the May 23 meeting.

What Will This Mean For My Taxes?

If approved, the proposed $84,335,989 budget would bring a tax increase of 1.7 percent for a millage rate of 22.9913, according to the April 9 meeting minutes.

A 1.7 percent increase equates to an annual increase of $77 for the average home assessment of $204,941, according to RTM Director of Management Services Grace Eves.

"The proposed budget is a work in progress and may change before final adoption," Eves said in an email message. "The administration will continue to review revenues and expenditures until the final budget adoption on May 23."

In January, the , meaning the maximum that school taxes would be able to be raised this year would be 1.7 percent.

How Does it Compare to Last Year?

Last year, residents also saw a 1.7 percent tax increase in the approved $80.3 million 2012-2013 budget. Last year, the 1.7 percent increase meant an annual increase of $75 for the average home assessed at $205,300.

Residents saw .

Resident Liz Gorman, of Middletown Township, said that the district's property values are not keeping pace with the property taxes and asked the board to not increase taxes.

"I'm here tonight because I'm frightened about the direction of our property taxes," Gorman said at the April 25 legislative meeting. "The economy remains very tough for most families and we have to find ways to cut our own family budgets."

She asked if the school board would ever consider not increasing taxes or find ways to cut the budget and reduce taxes.

"I urge you on behalf of all taxpayers to make some serious decisions about the spending trends in this district. The taxpayers deserve a break," Gorman said.