The Homer-Center School Board on Thursday night approved the preliminary budget for advertisement.
The preliminary budget comes to $19,770,790, but in this version of the budget, a 5% tax increase is needed. The new tax rate under this budget would be 17.5945 mils and would represent a $66 increase for the average property owner. Business Manager Gregg Kalemba said this budget represents a worst-case scenario.
The vote went 7-2, with Gerald Bertig and Michael Bertig voting against it.
In other business, board president Michael Bertig issued a statement concerning the decommissioning of the Homer City Generating Station. He said that while the closure will bring significant challenges in the future, the board and staff will continue to meet the challenges head on, with the assistance of state senator Joe Pittman and representative Jim Struzzi.
He also said that with the continued support of the community, the district will continue to exist after the plant’s closure.
