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<p>PITTSTON &#8212; The Pittston Area School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a resolution stating it will not raise taxes above a state-mandated maximum of 3.1 percent for the 2019-2020 school year.</p><p>The tax-limit vote has been common among boards this month. Under the state law known as Act 1, which legalized gambling, some money from that gambling is used to reduce school property taxes. But districts are restricted in how much they can raise taxes without a voter referendum or state approval under a limited number of exemptions.</p><p>If districts vote to stay within the limit this month, they need not approve a preliminary budget until the end of May. If they don&#8217;t vote to stay in the limit, they must prepare a preliminary budget in February. The limit, known as the &#8220;Act 1 Index,&#8221; can vary year to year and district to district.</p><p>Greater Nanticoke Area&#8217;s limit of 3.5 percent is the highest among Luzerne County&#8217;s 11 school districts.</p><p>By adopting the resolution, the Pittston board is certifying that it will not increase property taxes by more than 3.1 percent, and that a tax increase of 3.1 percent or less will be sufficient to balance its final budget for the fiscal year. </p><p>Board President Dr. Frank Serino noted at the meeting that this does not necessarily mean the board will vote to increase taxes when balancing the next budget. </p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Connor Moffitt</p><p>cmoffitt@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Pittston Area votes to limit any tax hike to 3.1 percent