Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Katy Dowling briefed school board members on the 2023 budget outlook Tuesday morning. The Budget Form 3 submitted to state officials shows a budget of just under $269 million, but Dowling cautions this number is always estimated high, because the school district cannot exceed that amount under state law.
Dowling will provide more precise numbers for the overall HSE Schools spending plan next year, during the public hearing set for October 12. The 2023 budget will be up for a board vote October 26. The legal deadline to finalize the budget is November 1.
Although overall numbers are not available, Dowling did reveal several items budget related. Here are are a few:
–The student count for the entire district stands at 21,140 as of September 19. The HSE Education Fund is expected to total $155 million next year.
–The state funding formula, based largely on enrollment, is projected to increase by $3.8 million. Dowling also says the General Assembly will be approving a two-year budget in the 2023 session, starting on July 1, 2023. That means HSE Schools will not know for certain what the funding will be from the state in the second half of calendar year 2023, but can make reasonable estimates.
–Dowling expects the HSE School District’s part of the local property tax rate to drop a bit in 2023, although it is too early to say how much.
–Assessed valuations for local property are expected to rise 17%, based on numbers provided by Hamilton County.
–The debt service tax rate will remain at .5898, where it has been for a number of years.
–The revenue from the referendum is estimated to be $26.5 million, up from this year’s$25 million.
Dowling did mention that several speakers at last year’s budget public hearing complained that federal funding and reimbursements were not included in the budget. Federal funds are not included in the school district’s budget by law, per the CFO. Board member Brad Boyer asked how much federal money is spent by HSE Schools, and administrators said the funds come in different ways, but could be put together and provided to board members.