School Board to Vote on Tax Resolution

The West Chester School Board will vote on a resolution Monday that will limit any tax increase by the district to the Act 1 index of 1.7 percent.

Act 1 is a state law that prevents school districts from raising their property taxes above a predetermined rate.  For the 2013-14 school year, that rate is 1.7 percent.

School districts are allowed to apply to the state for a higher increase rate; however, the school board states in its resolution that it will not seek a tax rate increase above 1.7 percent.

Also, the resolution that will be voted on Monday does not raise taxes.  Any vote on a tax rate increase would occur in the spring. 

The school board can pass the resolution stating that they will not raise taxes above 1.7 percent and still not raise taxes at all when the budget for the 2013-14 school year is finalized. 

Any vote on whether or not raise taxes would probably occur in April, when the school board has to vote on a proposed budget.

The vote on Monday simply notifies the state that the district will not seek a higher tax rate than what is allowed by Act 1.