Plum Property Tax Hike Could Hit 6.2%

The Plum School District is considering increasing the property tax rate next school year.

The school district is considering raising the taxes by as much as 6.2 percent, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. A potential increase won’t be determined until spring or early summer, as the school board must pass a budget by June 30, the Tribune Review said.

If the real estate taxes are increased, it will be the first time property taxes have increased in Plum since 2006.

The state of Pennsylvania has set the district’s tax hike ceiling for next school year at 2.6 percent, the Tribune Review reported. In order to increase taxes by as much as 6.2 percent, the school district would have to gain permission from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, TribLive.com said.

School districts can increase taxes beyond the imposed tax increase ceiling only if the state gives the OK first, but this can only be done for several reasons. A school district must pass a preliminary budget and inform the state in February, according to the Tribune Review. In most cases, school districts will pass preliminary budgets in May.

According to the Tribune Review, Plum officials said the need for a higher tax increase is due to costs of pensions and special education.

For more on this story, visit the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.