The Northgate School Board has agreed not to exceed the state inflationary index for a property tax millage increase next year, but that most certainly does not mean the district will avoid another tax hike.

Each year, the state determines how much a particular school district can increase property taxes without triggering a plethora of procedural hoops, including expedited budget timelines, requests for exceptions to avoid ballot referendums, and potentially court action and the referendum itself.

For the last two years, Northgate has projected property tax increases in excess of the state index, and has received permission from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to exceed the index without being forced to obtain voter approval.

Northgate’s adjusted index for the 2012-13 school year is 2.3 percent, which translates into a .66 mills allowable tax hike, according to school officials.

The board voted unanimously on Monday to hold next year’s millage rate to a .66-mill or less increase.