The Tonganoxie USD 464 school board on Monday approved a budget that called for a slight decrease in the mill levy, while the Tonganoxie City Council plans to stay in line with last year’s rate.

USD 464 Superintendent Randy Weseman presented the budget at a special meeting Monday that called for a slight decrease from the 2011-12 actual budget of 54.8 mills. The proposed 2012-13 budget calls for 54.781 mills. One mill is equivalent to $1 in taxes for every $1,000 in assessed home property valuation.

Weseman said additional state funding based on a distribution formula assisted in its budget, to the tune of about 2.5 fewer mills toward the local option budget.

“That’s good news for us,” Weseman said. “We got a little room there. That helps us in terms of keeping the levy flat.”

The board approved the budget, 6-0, with Leana Leslie absent. The budget will be published twice in advance of a budget hearing, which will be 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20 at the Tonganoxie High School library on the THS west campus. Patrons can share comments and concerns they might have at that time.

The Tonganoxie City Council, in a work session this past week, hashed out some final details with City Administrator Nathan McCommon about his proposed budget. The city intends to have a mill levy of 37.852 mills, which is identical to the 2012 mill levy.

Not in the 2013 budget is the city clerk position (about $50,000), as well as funding toward a new police station, which was earmarked at $100,000 for 2013.

The City Council will have a public hearing as part of Monday’s regular meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. in council chambers, 321 Delaware.

Also at Monday’s school board meeting, the board approved contracts for Angie Babcock, high school custodian; Jennifer Harber, special needs bus paraprofessional; Kathy Jordan, regular route bus driver; Vanessa Kietzman, high school custodian; Pam Phillips, TES kitchen manager; Julie Price, high school custodian; and Linda York, special needs bus driver.

The board also approved resignations for Brenda Firuccia as special education bus driver and Stefanie Woods as Tonganoxie High School east baker. Kietzman resigned as THS west kitchen staff to take the custodial job.

Donna Wilson’s transfer from the TES kitchen to the THS west kitchen also was approved.