A deer leaps in front of Saranac Lake High School alongside state Route 3 in April 2019. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)

SARANAC LAKE — The Saranac Lake Central School District has proposed a budget for next year that would meet the tax cap exactly and raise spending minimally.

A public hearing on the budget will be held Wednesday, and voters will take a vote on it May 18.

The $33.7 million budget increased $100,000 from last year, a 0.3% rise in spending.

The tax levy — the amount to be collected from property taxpayers — is set at $22,710,715, an increase of $370,071 from last year, a 1.66% rise. This matches this year’s state-imposed tax cap for the district.

The resulting tax rate will vary within the towns inside the district — Harrietstown, St. Armand, North Elba, Brighton, Franklin, Santa Clara and Black Brook — depending on their equalization rates.

SLCSD Business Executive Cindy Moody said the budgeting process was difficult at first this year, as the state’s school aid runs had few details and were practically “useless.” Moody said district officials knew what expenditures would be but were not sure what the revenue from state aid would be.

Then on April 6, the district got more information and could start making its budget.

Moody said the district has received “strong support” from voters in the past and anticipates this budget, a lean one, will pass.

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Public hearing

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¯ On what: Saranac Lake Central School District’s proposed 2021-22 budget

¯ When: Wednesday at 5 p.m. before the school board’s regular meeting

¯ Where: In person at Saranac Lake High School auditorium, 79 Canaras Ave., and over Google Meet at https://bit.ly/3xH4qAR