As things stand now, a 2.6 percent increase in the property tax rate could be in the cards for residents in the Northern Lehigh School District.

However, that amount could come down as the district continues to piece together the 2015-16 budget, as discussed at Monday's school board meeting.Sherri Molitoris, co-director of business affairs/human resources, said the intention is to construct a proposed final budget that calls for a 2.6 percent increase and then make those figures come down.Molitoris said expenses were at $30,933,909, with revenues at $29,557,324, leaving a budget shortfall of $1,376,585.That amount, less $410,000 in fund balance maintenance and equipment, leaves a shortfall of $966,585.Molitoris said usage of fund balance amounts after potential tax increases would be as follows:• A 2.6 percent tax increase would generate $329,777 in revenue and require $636,808 from the fund balance.• A 2 percent tax increase would generate $241,420 in revenue and require $725,165 from the fund balance.• A 1.5 percent tax increase would generate $167,804 in revenue and require $798,781 from the fund balance.Superintendent Michael Michaels said it's extremely difficult to put together a budget when there are so many unknowns that are out of the district's control."We're very cautious and conscientious of our taxpayers' money," Michaels said. "I pride myself, as the ladies (who work on the budget) do, as being fiscally conservative."In January, the board approved the Act 1 Tax Levy Resolution, which states that the district's index for the 2015-16 fiscal year is 2.6 percent, which is the highest the board can raise taxes.If the board were to go that route, it would raise the millage rate by 0.5398 cents for every $1,000 of assessment, which would push the rate to 21.30 mills in Lehigh County.Under that scenario, Molitoris said the bill for a home assessed at $200,000 would go up by $108.Molitoris said the district is set to see a $545,000 PSERS increase based on its 2014-15 salaries districtwide. However, the district has $3 million set aside for that expense.She also said the district previously received $350,000 from PlanCON, and over $200,000 in back taxes from the former Slatington Lamp Factory.Molitoris said the plan is to roll out the budget next month.In June, the school board approved the 2014-15 budget with a 2.8 percent increase in the property tax rate.That budget called for a 0.59-mill increase for residents of Lehigh County, and a 0.63-mill increase for residents of Northampton County.The $29,132,905 spending plan increased the millage rate from 20.17 to 20.76 mills for residents in Lehigh County, and from 57.31 to 57.94 mills for residents of Northampton County.The district used $465,000 from its fund balance to help offset about a $525,000 increase in the Public School Employees Retirement System.