Preliminary budget includes tax increase .
Menu Help Tips . He said the budget committee would work to pare down the tentative 44.9-mill tax hike at its May 29 meeting. Board members Letizia Riccardi, Cynthia Epp, Godin, William Keenan and Ronald Matlack voted for the preliminary budget. Peter Belmonte, Helen Cini and Earl Bruck voted no. Other significant increases include costs associated with charter schools, textbooks and technology.