The Central York School Board voted 7-2 Monday night to finalize a 2012-13 budget that does not include a tax increase.

The budget calls for $74 million in spending and includes $73.7 million in revenue. The district will bridge the $275,000 gap by using surplus funds, though an unexpected accountability block grant will likely trim the deficit to the $210,000 range, business manager Brent Kessler said.

Board member Gregory Lewis said he couldn't be more pleased with the way the budget worked out. "Our administration should be commended."

This is the second year in a row that Central has not raised taxes.

The property tax rate will remain at 17.76 mills, resulting in a tax bill of $2,664 on a $150,000 home.

The school board last approved a tax hike in June 2010, of 2.9 percent.

Cutting costs: The district took several cost-cutting measure as part of the budget process.

The administration decided not to fill five vacant professional positions (at a savings of $502,000), eliminated three support staff positions ($100,000) and eliminated elementary team leaders ($60,000).

The district also will save money by using a new electricity provider ($100,000) and will save about $50,000 by returning some alternative education students to the Central schools.

Karl Peckmann and Michael Snyder voted against the budget.

Peckmann said he wanted to see a flat budget with no use of surplus funds. He said the administration could have accomplished that if $350,000 wasn't transfered to capital reserves.

Snyder agreed with Peckmann.