Hornell City School District voters approved a $49.8 million budget for the 2026-27 academic year on May 19.
District voters also elected three people, including two incumbents, to the board of education, while approving propositions connected to transportation, the purchase of Maple City Park and support for the Hornell Public Library.
Here’s a closer look at each measure on the May 19 ballot and how the voting went.
Hornell budget vote results and what it means
Voters approved the $49,897,933 city school district spending plan, 206-157.
The 2026-27 budget sees spending go up 10.94% over the 2025-26 school year.
The budget calls for a 2.94% increase in the district’s tax levy, well under the 4.37% tax cap.
The total amount of the tax levy is $8 million. The estimated tax rate per $1,000 of assessed property is $13.66, however district officials expect the rate to be under $13 per $1,000 when tax bills go out later this year.
Mehr, Liberto, Talbot elected to Hornell BOE seats
Voters reelected incumbent board members Dr. Uzma Mehr and Joe Liberto and elected former school board member Jessica Talbot to five-year terms that begin on July 1.
Both Mehr and Liberto have been on the school board since 2016, with Liberto currently the vice president of the panel.
Talbot rejoins the board after serving previously from 2015-23.
First-time candidate Julie Conklin finished in fourth place.
The school district did not immediately release vote totals for the candidates.
Hornell Public Library proposition approved by wide margin
A proposition to increase tax support for the Hornell Public Library from $407,382 to $454,734 was approved, 261-142.
Transfer of Maple City Park from city to school district approved
By a tally of 276-91, voters authorized the district to make a one-time expenditure of $52,234 from the general fund to purchase the 12-acre Maple City Park.
Hornell school transportation propositions OKed by voters
By a vote of 261-87, approval was given for the establishment of a $1 million transportation Reserve Fund to support the purchase of school buses, transportation vehicles and related equipment.
Voters also authorized the district to spend up to $600,000 from the 2017–2027 and 2024–2034 Transportation Reserve Funds to purchase school buses and/or student transportation vehicles by June 30, 2027. The measure passed 277-91.
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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Voters pass Hornell school budget, elect Mehr, Liberto, Talbot to BOE
Reporting by Neal Simon, Hornell Evening Tribune / The Evening Tribune
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