The proposed final 2016-2017 budget passed Tuesday night with six Palmerton school board members voting yes, two no, and one absent. Board member Barry Scherer was absent.

The two dissenting votes came from Chuck Myers, vice president of the board, and Darlene Yeakel.Yeakel said she was voting no on behalf of the area's senior citizens, struggling families and those questioning why the high school stadium needs a turf field.The proposed budget will incorporate a 1.72-mill increase and expenditure total of $31.4 million. The real estate tax mills will be set at 55.5293. The 2015-2016 rate was 53.8075, as stated in that year's budget. The millage rate for taxes in 2014-2015 was 52.4440. It increased by 2.6 percent, which is within the allowed index by the state. During the workshop session in early May, the school board heard details about the proposed budget.According to the proposed budget, the school district anticipates getting $18.4 million through local taxes. Ryan Kish, the business manager for the district, said the 1.72 mill translates into a $74.04 increase in taxes on residential properties with an average $43,000 assessment. Most properties in the district fall into that category, he said. For homes with a $50,000 taxable assessment, the increase is $86.09.Kish anticipates that the district will receive from the state about $11 million, which is actually down about $73,000.From the federal government, Kish listed a contribution of $492,275, which is $50,000 less than was stated on past budgets. The federal government discontinued the program several years ago under which that amount was provided, he said.School board member Susan Debski asked, "Has the budget been advertised?"Kish answered no."It will be available for public inspection in the business office," he said.Adoption of the final budget is set for the June 21 meeting.