McKeesport Area posts preliminary budget with tax hike

By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
McKeesport Area school board passed a preliminary budget Wednesday that includes a slight tax increase for property owners.
The $69,121,362 draft spending plan calls for increasing taxes by 0.68 mills, bringing the millage rate to 20.16.
The current millage rate is 19.48 mills. Under the new millage rate, taxpayers who live in McKeesport, White Oak, Dravosburg, Coulter or Versailles with a home assessed at $100,000 would see an increase of just under $70 for the year.
Business manager Matt Gergely said the increase is “unfortunately an absolute necessity because of significant expenditures,which are completely out of control.”
He said the increase will help cover the district’s debt-service payments, retirement contributions and charter school tuition costs.
Gergely said he doesn’t foresee the budget changing much by next month, when a final budget must be passed.
“This is our option to maintain minimum but necessary staff and spending and still provide a first-class, top-notch education for our students.”
In other business, the board voted to move forward with creating a district-run police force.
Board Directors Joe Lopretto, Steve Kondrosky, Mary Jane Keller, Ivan Hampton, Tom Filotei, Jim Brown and James Poston voted to create police chief and police officer positions. Board Directors David Donato and Mindy Sturgess were absent for the vote.
Superintendent Mark Holtzman said they will begin searching immediately to find the right candidates for the jobs.

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