Property taxes could be going up for Moon and Crescent townships residents.

Moon Area School District directors are scheduled to vote during a special meeting on Monday on a $56.47 million budget that includes a .86-mill increase in real estate taxes from 19.61 to 20.47 mills.

Under the proposed budget, homeowners with property valued at $200,000 would pay an additional $172 annually, while others with a $100,000 home would pay $86 more.

In almost every economic sector, costs have risen causing the 2008-09 budget to increase 3.7 percent over this year's $54 million financial plan.

In addition to $290,000 in anticipated higher fuel and energy costs, the budget also includes $1.1 million more in employee salaries and benefits, despite the elimination of five teaching positions saving more than $330,000.

Related non-reoccurring costs associated with retiree health insurance also will cost the district $885,000 between July and next June.

With these higher costs, less money will be spent on aspects like sports, technology and maintenance and a curriculum adoption will be delayed one year.

Still, students will see some new items around the halls this upcoming school year as a social studies curriculum adoption and computer upgrades will be funded.

Through a $1.07 million lease and purchase agreement, outdated technology will be phased out and 200 new desktop and laptop computers will be in.

The lease also provides for the school's system to be upgraded to support more video conferencing, distance learning and quicker computer speeds throughout the district.

With the new technology also could come a new face as the budget provides for a director of operations to oversee facilities care and maintenance in all Moon Area buildings.

The new position should pay for itself in saved costs, according to Al Bennett, district financial director.

Though many school directors agree with this assessment, board president Mark Scappe remains unconvinced.

"I still have to see that. I'm not totally sold on the position," Scappe said.

"The majority of board members believe it could be good for the district."

This year also marks the first time qualified homeowners will see revenue from state gambling revenues.

In the state Taxpayer Relief Act or Act 1, property owners who applied for a homestead exception via an Allegheny County online form will have their property assessed at less for tax purposes.

Each property will receive a $144.33 tax reduction stemming from the exception. In Moon Area, 6,633 homeowners will receive the reduction starting with their incoming tax bill.

The budget meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the middle school auditorium.