SLIPPERY ROCK — At least 2.9 mills in property tax must be trimmed from next year's Slippery Rock School District budget before school board members can adopt it.

Board members Monday night saw updated figures on the budget during their meeting at Slippery Rock Elementary School.

The board first examined the spending plan in January as part of the new process required by Act 1, a state law enacted this year to control budgeting practices. At that time, the board decided not to ask voters to approve tax increases by referendum, so according to the new law, spending will be limited.

"Under Act 1, the district can only raise taxes 4.5 percent, or 4.6 mills," said Paul Cessar, business manager.

Right now, the $25.6 million district budget is at 7.5 mills. This means 2.9 mills, or $251,832, needs to be trimmed to bring the plan in line with state law.

Over the next several weeks, administrators will work with Cessar to do that, he said.

He also expects board members to discuss student enrollment numbers. Overall enrollment is down in the district, according to Cessar.

This year's budget is $24.4 million and required a 2.9-mill tax increase. Some increases in neat year's expenses include a 4.9 percent increase in salaries, a 3.8 percent increase in medical costs and $113,000 increase in employee retirement costs, Cessar said.

The state budget hasn't been passed, but Cessar said he based his revenue estimates on the 2006-07 state budget figures because the new budget should be similar. The state helps subsidize school districts.

Board members had no comment on the budget after Cessar's presentation.