A small increase in education taxes is coming to the Pine Creek School Division.

Roughly 20 people attended last night's public meeting, and heard the 2007 budget will be just over 11 million dollars, which is two per cent higher than last year.

Superintendent Darwin Crabbe feels the budget is responsible, even with the hike. He thinks it maintains the division's tradition of getting the most from the money it raises.

Crabbe notes the mill rate will rise by 0.9 mills, which is five per cent above last year. He adds the mill rate was lowered in 2006 because it was an assessment year, but even with the increase, they're still below the level of a couple of years ago.

Crabbe says declining enrollment is the major factor behind the tax jump, and is the biggest challenge in the budget process. Provincial funding is mostly based on student numbers.

The school board votes on the budget at its first meeting in March.