JACKSON TWP — The expected property tax increase for Seneca Valley School District decreased somewhat from the preliminary 2017-18 budget that was approved in May.

The updated $131 million budget discussed at the school board's work session meeting Monday includes a 3-mill increase, or 2.44 percent tax increase, over the current budget. The school directors will give their vote next Monday to pass the final 2017-18 budget.

The tax increase is down from the 3.5-mill increase that was voted on in the preliminary budget in May. Lynn Burtner, district business manager, said the decrease is due to several things, including adjusted expenses and the value of a mill increasing slightly.

The gross value of a mill is $597,000, an estimated increase of $14,304 from the current value.

The new tax rate would be 126 mills. The proposed tax increase is under the Act 1 index of 2.5 percent set forth for the district by the state Department of Education. This is the first time in several years the budget has included a tax increase below the index, said Jim Nickel, school board president.

Expenditures are set at just under $127 million. Revenue is set at about $124.7 million

The district is committing $2 million from its fund balance to offset increasing public school employees' retirement system costs and to fund capital projects.

The budget also includes a $4.25 million transfer from the fund balance to a special capital reserve fund to be used for future construction and capital projects.