By THOMAS LUCKIE III

OGDENSBURG -- Residents of the Ogdensburg City School District will vote on a proposed district budget of $45,500,000 for the 2017-18 school year on Tuesday, May 16.

The proposed budget represents an increase of $2.7 million or 6.31 percent over the 2016-17 budget. Rising health insurance costs account for over $1.8 million of the increase while additional special education expenditures amount to an increase of $600,000.

Although state Foundation Aid for the district will increase by $612,023 for the 2017-18 school year, the district plans to appropriate $2.2 million in fund balance in order to balance the budget.

A 1.26 percent tax levy increase is also included in the proposed budget.

Despite the budget increase, district administration and the Board of Education have consistently maintained an adamant stance against recommending cutting programs for students.

District voters will also vote on a proposal to sell surplus school district property to the City of Ogdensburg for $1.

The parcel is a non-conforming lot at the corner of paper Jersey Avenue and paper Rosseel Street near John F. Kennedy Elementary School.

An adjacent city-owned surplus property at 1411 Lafayette St. would be merged with the parcel to create one contigious block for redevelopment, which could be subdivided into up to three separate lots.

The City of Ogdensburg will be responsible for all legal fees associated with the closing and property transfer, should voters approve the sale.

The city-owned property on Lafayette Street is located within a moderate-density residential zoning district and would require a use variance for any potential commercial development.

The Ogdensburg Public Library is also seeking the approval of $50,000 from district taxpayers through a “School Ballot Referendum” on the school budget ballot.

Section 259 of New York State Education Law allows public libraries to potentially raise money in this fashion if they successfully garner enough signatures to get the referendum on the ballot.

If district voters approve the proposed referendum, the tax increase would amount to less than $16 for every $100,00 of assessed property value in Lisbon and less than $14 per $100,000 of assessed property value in Ogdensburg and Oswegatchie.

The library elected to seek funding through the school district after being hit with nearly $40,000 in budget cuts.

Incumbent Board of Education members Craig Lalonde and Vicky Peo are expected to retain their seats on the board for another five-year term as no other candidates will be listed on the ballot.

Voting will take place from noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16.

All voters residing on the west side of the Oswegatchie River will vote at Grant C. Madill Elementary School, while all voters residing on the east side of the Oswegatchie will vote at Ogdensburg Free Academy.

Voters must be a citizen of the United States and registered voter 18 years or older and a resident of the Ogdensburg City School District for at least 30 days prior to the election.

Personal identification and proof of residency is recommended and absentee ballots are available upon request.