First draft of proposed $25M ‘22-‘23 budget gets reviewed

WEBUTUCK — With the 2022-23 school district budget development process underway, the North East (Webutuck) Central School District (WCSD) Board of Education (BOE) turned its attention to Business Administrator Robert Farrier’s first budget presentation for the 2022-23 school year on Monday evening, March 21.

Board members convened via Zoom for their meeting at 7 p.m. Introducing the first budget presentation to the public, Farrier outlined his intent to go through a series of budget presentations in the coming weeks as Webutuck begins to build its budget for next year and put in more definitive numbers.

As far as which numbers are not known at this time, he said state aid funding isn’t a definitive number until the New York State budget is finalized.

Also, any numbers based on tax levies are used as a reference point from last year’s tax rolls and could change as well.

To start, Farrier reminded the BOE the 2021-22 adopted budget totaled $24,798,803 with a $16,216,729 tax levy.

As of this time, the draft budget for the 2022-23 school year totals $25,065,061 with a 1.1% budget-to-budget increase.

Taking the year-over-year changes into account, Farrier said reductions included the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) capital project that’s been paid off; bus purchases that have been placed in a separate proposition for the 2022-23 district budget vote; and reductions of overall debt payment.

Future additions include hiring a special education teacher and a certified health teacher; an increase in medical costs; and contractual salary increases.

Next year’s allowable tax cap has so far been calculated at 4.9% (or $794,620) with an allowable levy total of $17,011,349.

Providing the BOE with a budget revenue breakdown, Farrier explained any expenses Webutuck has need to be matched by revenue, stressing there must be a balanced budget.

Reviewing the different revenue sources, he said next year’s fiscal plan is really comprised of three components: aid; other sources of revenue; and the tax levy.

To balance the budget, he said he used the appropriated fund balance, totaling $1.9 million.

Looking ahead, Farrier reiterated there are factors still to consider, such as the unknown final state aid numbers; if there will be an increase in the town of Amenia’s overall assessment from development; and any identified efficiencies and reductions.

Once the WCSD has the final numbers, he said the BOE will be able to announce its tax levy and what the final numbers will be for next year’s budget.