(KLZA)-- Following two public hearings drawing no comments, the Falls City Board of Education approved a budget of just over $15.7-million Monday night with a property tax levy of just over $1.07 per $100 of assessed valuation. 

The General Fund budget of $12.4-million is an increase of nearly $582,000, a 6.1% increase. Superintendent Tim Heckenlively said 42 percent of the increase is due to the Sixpence Early Childhood Grant program, which is 100 percent refunded. That grant is $250,000, which is a substantial increase in the budget.

The rest of the increased amount is nearly $332,000 or 2.8%. Wages and insurance account for most of the increase plus an additional Kindergarten teacher, increased special education costs and a contingency for hiring a school nurse. 

The combined levy for the General Fund and the Special Building Fund will be 99 cents. The statutory limit is $1.05, but bond payments allow districts to exceed the limit.  The Bond Fund and the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund make the remaining levy. 

The 2016-17 levy is slightly less than the previous year. The school district tax on a $150,000 home or property will be approximately $1,611.