School district passes 2023-24 budget with surplus revenue

With minimal change from previous discussions, the Carson City School District’s Board of Trustees on Tuesday adopted its final budget for fiscal year 2023-24 that will allow the district to see an increase in revenues barring any last-minute changes from the Nevada Legislature in June.

The budget reflects an opening fund balance of $9.3 million, total general revenue projections of $66.9 million and a general ending fund balance of $4.3 million as of June 3, 2024. Total operating expenditures including transfers for FY24 are $71.8 million.

Chief Financial Officer Spencer Winward said Tuesday the district’s funds — including general services, the Pupil-Centered Funding Plan, adult education, alternative compensation, nutrition services, debt service, adult and prison education and grants — to date have shown no change with the exception of its bond and building fund.

Trustee Mike Walker asked Winward about Gov. Joe Lombardo’s earlier threat to veto the state budget, namely five major bills supporting it, if his priorities weren’t supported as the final weeks of the session draw near. Issues at stake include K-12 funding, for which Lombardo has promised a $2 billion boost for school programs, and pay for state employees through Assembly Bill 522, the State Worker Pay Bill providing the first round of $500 quarterly retention bonuses to be given to those hired as of March 31 and June 16.

Winward previously stated he preferred keeping figures conservative, expecting that Carson City would receive an increase of $8.9 million in general fund revenues.

The motion to adopt the final budget by approving the resolution and transmittal letter was approved in a 7-0 vote. However, amendments can be made once the legislative session ends June 5.