Tax rate won't go up in Batavia

The Batavia School District will abate a small portion of property taxes this year that will ensure they keep a referendum campaign promise, officials said.

The school board approved the measure this week. The "fraction of a cent" abatement will mean the district's total tax rate will stay at $4.69 per $100 of assessed value.

The higher rate would have only meant about $9 more on the tax bill of a $300,000 house, said Superintendent Jack Barshinger.

But officials campaigned for a $75 million building referendum on a promise to keep the total tax rate the same, so even a small amount was important to give back, he said.

"We didn't want any appearance of it being a fraction of a cent higher," Barshinger said.

Even though the tax rate doesn't change, taxes could still go up if home assessments do.

The increase in the district's bond and interest fund is paying for a large classroom addition to the high school, a field house and auditorium, a new early childhood center at Alice Gustafson Elementary School and a new gym at Rotolo Middle School.

The increase in bond payments is offset by a decrease in the district operating tax rate. The total tax rate of $4.69 would have decreased if voters did not pass the referendum.

School officials maintained that people would prefer a predictable tax rate even if it cost more total in the long run.