Peters Township School District no longer has the lowest real estate tax rate in Washington County.

That distinction now goes to the California Area School District.

Peters school board members last night voted 7-0 in favor of a $46.8 million general fund budget for next year that calls for a 3-mill tax increase.

Residents may be paying more again next year. Peters Township council members have said a municipal tax increase may be necessary to address a steep drop in revenues associated with real estate development, which has been stagnant this year.

School board members David Hvizdos and John Stepusin were absent for last night's vote, though Mr. Hvizdos attended a later portion of the meeting.

Only a handful of residents attended and none spoke out against the increase, which was not discussed during regular board meetings or included in a preliminary budget passed last month by the board.

The district published a budget outlook on its Web Site, but it made no mention that taxes were being increased.

Members said they discussed a tax increase during finance committee meetings. The board has smaller committees dedicated to items such as personnel, buildings and grounds, and policy, but the full board meets once a month to vote.

Included in the budget was $1.2 million for technology and an $858,000 capital reserve budget.

As of tomorrow, the district will have a 92.5 millage rate, meaning an increase of about $66 a year for a homeowner who already pays $2,000 in annual school property tax.