Karns City’s approved $26.69 million budget comes with slight tax increase in all three counties that make up the district.

The school board voted unanimously Monday night, June 16, to approve the 2025-26 budget, with expenditures set to be $26,695,967.

Karns City’s Butler County residents will see a 2025-26 millage rate of 105.64 mills, up from 102.98. Clarion County residents will face a 40.14 millage rate, up from 39.09. Armstrong County residents will see 39.30, up from 38.53.

Superintendent Eric Ritzert said after Monday night’s meeting the increases are expected to bring in an additional $150,000 of revenue. He said that money will be used to start a life skills special education program.

“That money will be utilized to start the life skills special education program at our elementary school, which will benefit our students,” Ritzert said. “Although it’s always tough to raise taxes, and it’s never something we want to be doing, it is something at this point we needed to do in order to maintain the programs and other activities that the school is providing students.”

According to the district’s budget proposal, expected revenue for 2025-26 is $26,698,050. The distric has a current fund balance of $9.067 million.

The earned income tax rate will remain at 0.5% while the real estate transfer tax remains 1%.

The approved budget comes a month after the school board approved an additional $5 million bond, with the district planning to use the funds on capital projects. This largely includes roof replacements at the high school.