Mercer School Board Approves $26 Million Tentative Budget
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Robert Moore
Herald Staff
[email protected]
The Mercer County Board of Education approved a tentative budget. The budget as presented by Finance Officer Amber Minor projects total general fund revenue of $26,623,910, an increase of $650,000 from draft budget, which was submitted in January. That includes a beginning balance of $5 million. The budget projects no change in local tax revenue. While the SEEK forecast estimates revenue to be $11.4 million, the budget reflects $11 million, Minor told the board. She said the district was still waiting for estimates.
The budget projects general fund expenses of $23,497,103, which Minor said was a decrease of $1.4 million compared to the draft budget. Minor attributed that to a 19 percent reduction in pension.
“That did help offset some stuff,” Minor told the board.
The tentative budget has a contingency of 13.31 percent, which is an increase of 8.9 percent compared to the draft budget. Minor told the board the tentative budget only includes step increases for current staff. She said they would normally be looking at a salary schedule and insurance renewals, but the district was waiting on a quote from the insurance company. She said the district had also asked for quotes from another insurance company.
“Other districts have seen dramatic increases,” Minro said. She said she went with a projected 36 percent increase for insurance.
The tentative budget is the second step in the school district’s budgeting process. The working budget must be completed by Sept. 30.
It’s difficult, Minor said, to see where to make cuts.
“Anything could pop up between now and June 30,” she said. Maintenance and tech expenses sometimes go up.
The board unanimously approved the tentative budget. They also approved a request to use $850,994 in capital funds—which are restricted for building projects—to pay general fund bonds. Minor told the board that, with the building of the new elementary school and other projects, there will be less funds left over going forward.
“I want you all to be aware,” Minor said.
The district recently broke ground on the new elementary school. They’ve also begun work on the KMS bathrooms. Superintendent Jason Booher said all five bathrooms had been gutted, while the KMS gym has been stripped and sanded.
“A lot of stuff going on at KMS,” Booher said.
The board also approved purchasing furniture for the new elementary school from Action Business Suppliers.
The total cost is $699,007, which will be paid for using federal ESSER funds. The district will store the furniture, which will be moved into the new elementary school when it opens. The total cost is $699,007. The federal funds will expire in September.
