Marion Independent school board members last night voted to publish a “worst case scenario” 2013-14 budget that includes a 56-cent increase in the district’s property tax rate.

The published budget raises Marion’s property tax rate from $17.06 to $17.62 per $1,000 of taxable valuation.

The board also set a public hearing on the budget for 4:30 p.m. April 8.

Following the hearing, the board could vote to lower, but not to increase, the proposed property tax rate.

Marion Business Manager Brian Bartz told board members that the published budget is based on the district receiving 0 percent allowable growth, the state’s mechanism for determining state aid to school districts.

Bartz told board members that they might be able to reduce the published tax rate by as much as 25 cents if legislators decided to raise allowable growth to 2 percent.

Two education bills are being debated in the Legislature, one with 2 percent and one with 4 percent allowable growth.

Iowa school districts are required to certify budgets and set property tax rates for the following year by April 15.