Budget Vote & Election

Q. When is the budget vote and school board election?

A. The vote and election will be on Tuesday, May 19, from 11 a.m. at 8 p.m. in the North Street School mini gym.

Q. What should I expect when I arrive to vote?

A. The voting process and machines remain the same. This year, voter sign-in will take place on an iPad instead of in binders, with assistance from an election worker, to help us meet new state reporting requirements. As the new system is implemented, there may be brief wait times during busy periods.

Q. What is the budget-to-budget increase?

A. The budget-to-budget increase is $763,977, or 1.01%, most of which is funded by state aid.

Q. What is the tax levy?

A. The tax levy is the total amount of property taxes a district raises to help fund the budget after accounting for all other revenue sources. The total proposed tax levy for 2026–27 is $23,988,376.

Q. What is the tax levy increase?

A. The tax levy increase is $717,840, or 3.1%.

Q. Is the proposed increase within the New York State tax levy cap law?

A. Yes, the 2026–27 proposed budget is within the district’s tax levy cap.

Q. Does this mean my school tax bill will increase by 3.1%?

A. Not necessarily. The actual rate is determined by taxable assessed values and the apportionment of taxes determined by the equalization rate set by the state Office of Real Property Tax Services.

Q. What are the two types of STAR benefits?

A. Whether you receive the STAR exemption or the credit, there are two types of STAR benefits: (1) Basic STAR — available for owner-occupied, primary residences with qualifying incomes; (2) Enhanced STAR — an increased benefit for the primary residences of senior citizens (age 65 and older) with qualifying incomes. The STAR benefit applies only to school district taxes.

Q. Should I switch to the STAR credit from the STAR exemption?

A. If you currently receive your STAR benefit as a reduction on your school tax bill (the STAR exemption), you may receive a greater benefit if you switch to the STAR credit to receive a check instead.

The value of the STAR credit savings may increase by as much as 2% each year, but the value of the STAR exemption savings cannot increase. The STAR exemption savings can never be higher than the STAR credit savings. 

Q. How much does Geneva depend upon New York State for operating revenues?

A. State aid comprises 60.6% of operating revenues.

Q. What happens if voters defeat the budget on Tuesday, May 19?

A. If the 2026–27 budget is defeated on May 19, the school board may choose between a contingency budget or putting the same or a revised budget to a second vote. If the same or revised budget is also defeated, the board must operate on a contingency budget. 

Q. What is the difference between the proposed budget and a contingency budget?

A. The difference between this year’s proposed budget and a contingency budget is $479,707. With a contingency budget, the tax levy can be no greater than the prior year’s actual tax levy. In addition, school districts must adhere to the contingent budget administrative cap, which, for Geneva, is the percent of the administrative component in the 2025–26 school year (11.72%). All non-contingent items of expenditure must be removed from a contingency budget. Determining which items fall under "ordinary contingent expenses" rests with the school board. Reductions would be required to operate on a 0 percent tax levy increase. This would almost certainly impact student programs.

Q. How many school board seats are up for election?

A. There is one seat up for election for a five-year term.