The South Western School Board unanimously approved a final proposed budget that uses surplus rather than an above-the-limit tax increase to close its budget gap.

South Western taxpayers are facing a 2.05 percent property tax hike, a 0.34 mill-rate increase right at the state limit. That would set their tax rate next year at 16.89 mills.

The district had the opportunity to go about 1 percent higher by using a special exception, but decided against it, said business manager Jeff Mummert.

Instead, about $1.4 million in fund balance will be used to help offset the $1.6 million deficit in the $55.6 million budget.

The budget for this year was "bare bones," he said, because of state funding cuts, but next year's outlook is slightly better.

There aren't any furloughs in the proposed 2012-13 budget, Mummert said, although there's the possibility some positions might be left vacant after attrition.

The 2012-13 proposed budget does include the creation of one new teacher position, a full-time West Manheim Elementary teacher with a $47,029 salary. About $100,000 in technology funding is also being restored, according to the budget, which will be finalized next month.

The 0.34-mill tax increase translates into a tax hike of $51 on a home assessed at $150,000.

-- Reach Andrew Shaw at 505-5431 or ashaw@yorkdispatch.com, or on Twitter @ydblogwork