The South Butler School Board on Wednesday approved a preliminary 2010-11 budget that includes a 2 mill property tax increase.

Board members reiterated that the increase, which would bring the district's millage rate to 89.7 mills, is due to increased employee pension costs.

The board also said the tax rate could be decreased before the final budget of $32.2 million is approved, which must be done by June 30.

A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value.

The budget was approved by a 5-4 vote with Jim Jones, Dale Fennell, Richard Roberts, and Rich Sefton voting against it.