COLUMBIA SCHOOL BOARD: NO TAX HIKE FOR THE 4TH YEAR IN A ROW!

The Columbia Borough School Board has voted on a proposed final budget for 2023-24 with no tax increase for the fourth consecutive year. In a roll call vote, the board unanimously approved the proposal at last Tuesday's Committee Meeting. 

"We're proposing no tax increase for the fourth year in a row. So that's exciting news," Business Manager Keith Ramsey told the board before the vote. Ramsey said he doesn't expect the proposed budget to change at the update meeting on June 6. In the meantime, the budget will be advertised and displayed.

"We don't see this budget changing at all between now and final," Ramsey said. "We'll definitely recommend the 0% tax increase."

The final budget will be adopted at the June 15 board meeting. Ramsey added that, depending on how the state budget works out, the district might get more money than anticipated for future years. 

Finance Chair Kathy Hohenadel said, "We do know that we're in a strong financial position now."

Board President Charles Leader added, "I just hope that the people of Columbia realize that it's not an easy task, and I give you two [Ramsey and Hohenadel] credit for getting us to that spot."