The Moniteau School Board passed a budget Monday for the 2020-21 school year that comes with a COVID-19-related crunch — including a tax increase.

“It's been a challenge. COVID-19 has obviously impacted every school across the state, and Moniteau is not immune to this impact,” said Thomas Samosky, district superintendent.

In an 8-1 vote, board members approved a budget of $22,347,764, which is $94,529 less than the 2019-20 school year. Even with a tax increase of 3.26 mills, officials said there is an expected deficit of $642,040.

The district's new total millage rate is 93.88 mills. A mill equals $1 in tax revenue for each $1,000 in a property's assessed value.

“That will cost that average homestead around $55 more in taxes,” said John D'Amore, district business manager. “Taxes are never good, but we're in the middle of the squeeze.”

This is an excerpt from a larger article that appears in Wednesday's Butler Eagle. Subscribe online or in print to read more about Moniteau's budget.