The Habersham County Board of Education heard and voted to approve a “tentative” 2016 budget presented by Chief Financial Officer Staci Newsome on Monday night. Newsome, who has held her position for three years, described the school system’s projected revenue compared with expenses as “tight” but balanced.
She estimated total local revenue at $21,570,205, adding that ad valorem tax revenue had increased since last year. Alcohol sales tax collection was up, and ELOST (Education Local Option Sales Tax) and SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) revenues were also up from last year. Total revenue is expected to be $60,107,674, she said.
The expense for salaries and benefits was placed at $53,409,445 with almost $40 million spent for instruction. Total expenses are estimated at $60,063,666. Comparing anticipated revenue with projected expenses yields a net change of $44,008, a positive net change, Newsome announced.
With the school system being the second largest employer in the county, the projected balance of 2016 income with expenditures is “a great accomplishment,” said Superintendent Matthew Cooper. He added that enacting the balanced budget has “certainly been a team effort.”
The school board will hear and vote on a final report in June.
