JEFFERSON TWP— With a minimal number of votes, South Butler School Board became the final district in the county to adopt a budget.

The $29.4-million budget includes a 5-mill property tax increase.

The budget passed Wednesday night was unchanged from the one the board tabled June 14. The board had tabled both the budget and tax increase that evening because it wanted to wait for a state budget to be implemented.

The state must pass a budget by Friday, the same deadline school districts have. The district expects about $11.7 million from the state.

Since the board tabled the budget, though, a property tax relief bill has become law. The board learned Wednesday how that law might affect future budgets and tax increases.

The tax increase, setting the millage at 112, was needed because of salaries, utilities and retirement costs, the district said.

Board president Jim Jones voted against both the untabling of the budget and the tax increase, and then voted against the budget and tax increase.

Willis Freehling, David Huselton and Richard Sefton were absent from the meeting.