District 200 Taxpayers to Save a Little Cash This Year

Despite a drop in revenue in Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 this year, taxpayers will save a little bit of money on their tax bill this year, Oak Leaves reports.

The district's tentative FY 2014 budget is available for viewing until a public hearing planned for Thursday, Sept. 26.

In FY 2014, the district's projected revenue is about $73.97 million, down from $77.7 million in 2013. The figure represents a decrease of about $3.8 million from FY 2013 due to a drop in property taxes from the debt service abatement for the 2012 levy. The abatement will save taxpayers about $51 on a tax bill for a home with a median assessed value of $314,000, Oak Leaves reports. The drop will last only a year, according to the report. 

District 200 in the past year "embarked on a complete overhaul" of the budgeting process, which included the formation of the Finance Advisory Committee, according to a District 200 staff memo. 

During this budget year, District 200 will complete the strategic planning process and the long-term facility planning process. The staff development budget will provide for institute days, staff development and the continuation of Learning Strands, which will include Courageous Conversations about Race. 

The Pacific Education Group services budget will increase by $67,000. The overall technology budget will decrease by $110,000. 

District 200 spokesman Karin Sullivan told Oak Leaves that all District 200 departments have been asked to find ways to reduce their budgets, and that the district won't be adding new initiatives to improve student achievement.

Read the Oak Leaves story here.

Here's a breakdown of some of the figures in the proposed 2014 budget, by fund:

• Property taxes will decrease by 1.62 percent
• Other local revenues sources will increase by 4.33 percent
• Student fees are expected to increase due to increased enrollment
• Expenditures overall will increase about 3.7 percent over FY 2013
• Off-campus special education budget will increase to $3.4 million from $2.7 million
• OPRFHS will provide $216,000 for the Collaboration for Early Childhood

• The district will receive an additional 5 cents per meal from the District 97 lunch program, and provide additional fruits and vegetables

• 3.31 percent increase in property and liability insurance (in premium)
• .78 percent decrease in workers' compensation

• The District will replace one bus for $50,000
• The total costs will increase by $237,493

• Expenditures will decrease slightly due to an expected drop in the IMRF rate from the 2013 rate of 12.29 percent to 11.75 percent in January 2014. 

• The district will transfer monies from the working cash fund to make principal and interest payments. 
• Total expenditures will be less than FY 2013. 
• The district is considering an early payoff of 2003A and 2004 general obligation debt certificates using working cash dollars. 

• Local revenue sources will drop $1,037,290
• $616,290 will be transferred to the Bond and Interest fund to pay the debt for a roof replacement project

• The 2014 budget reflects a seven percent increase for medical plans and for the HMO and pharmacy plans.
• Reserves in the workers' compensation fund remain until all outstanding claims are resolved and the SELF fund releases excess funds to the district.