On Tuesday, May 17, Fonda-Fultonville residents will be asked to
vote on a proposed $22,261,431 budget for 2005-06. The proposed
budget reflects a 4.10 percent increase in spending, as compared
to the 2004-05 budget. The anticipated tax levy would
show an increase of 5 percent. Click here for budget
details.
This budget comes to voters
after a 5.54 percent tax rate decrease in the 2004-05 year. Due to
last year's decrease, taxes under the proposed budget would be
comparable to those in the 2003-04 fiscal year.
At this point the actual tax
rates for 2005-06 can not be projected because assessment values
and equalization rates will not be finalized until July 1.
Also on the ballot, Board of
Education candidates are vying for three full-terms and one
unexpired term on the board. Candidates include incumbents Timothy
Wendell and John Wiltey, and newcomer Matthew Calkins. The
unexpired term is that of Timothy Coons who recently moved out of
the district.
Residents will also vote on
allocating $12,000 to the Frothingham Free Library in Fonda, and
$3,800 to the Fort Hunter Free Library.
Why are taxes
going up?
The largest budget increases
include:
A $430,000 increase in pension costs. This increase
is mainly the result of two things, a more than 5 percent
increase in the required contribution rate for pensions, and a
change in the accounting laws that require school districts to
essentially pay two years of pension costs in one.
A $475,000 increase in contractual costs. This
increase is the result of obligatory costs such as salaries and
benefits.
A $200,000 increase in natural gas and transportation.
Natural gas prices are rising across the country, and the
transportation costs are due to mandated increases.
Helping to offset budget
increases are two significant decreases in costs. They are:
A
$226,000 decrease in debt service.
A
$175,000 decrease in cafeteria equipment.
Additions to staff
bring increased support
District officials have
added four positions to the proposed budget. They are:
Bringing a part-time
middle school guidance counselor to full-time,
An elementary special
education teacher,
Bringing a part-time high
school social studies teacher to full-time, and
A full-time maintenance
position (allowing the district to keep from hiring outside
contractors).
