Central Bucks Projecting 5.7 Percent Tax Increase For Next Year

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The state Department of Education has granted the Central Bucks School District a special education exemption, allowing the district to raise taxes above the Act One Index for 2026-27.

The exemption would allow the district to raise taxes for next year up to 5.7 percent without going to a public referendum.

The percentage is 2.2 percent above the Act 1 Index, which is set at 3.5 percent for 2026-27, reported board member Daniel
Kimicata at Thursday’s school board meeting.

Kimicata is the chair of the board’s finance and operations committee, which heard an update on the 2026-27 preliminary budget at its March meeting.

“The administration has presented a preliminary budget that includes this tax increase, which results in total estimated revenue for next year of about $440.6 million against estimated expenses of $462.9 million leaving a projected deficit of about $22.3 million,” said Kimicata.

Compared to this year, Kimicata reported that expenses are projected to increase by over $31 million next year.

Key cost drivers include new staff for the grade realignment, the move to full-day kindergarten, contractual ,increases in payroll and benefits, transportation costs and insurance.

Kimicata said the administration is applying for grants to offset the cost of planned capital projects and will be delaying some projects to the following financial year, to save money.

The grants and deferments could potentially offset $9.8 million of the deficit, he said.

Additionally, Kimicata reported that operations plans to hold onto a significant amount of buses beyond their typical lifecycle to reduce the need and expense of buying new buses for next year.

“That’s an additional savings of $2.2 million,” said Kimicata.

A proposed final budget is expected to come before the committee at its April 9 meeting.

To watch the March finance and operations meeting, click here.