Click here to subscribe today or Login.
WILKES-BARRE — Calling Mayor Tom Leighton’s proposed $51.5 million balanced budget “unrealistic,” his successor Tony George listed his top priority upon taking office next year as a “total review” of the spending plan.
George Thursday questioned Leighton’s revenue projections and said he would not rule out raising taxes to keep the city financially sound.
“That’s not my first option,” he said.
The proposed 2016 budget does not include a property tax hike, keeping the millage rate at 121.63 mills. A mill is a $1 tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. At the current rate, a property assessed at $1,000 would have an annual tax of $121.63.
“You cannot run a budget on projections. We’re $4 (million) to $5 million dollars short before we start,” George said. “I think it’s unrealistic.”
He will have two official opportunities to state his case and raise his concerns:
• The first at a public hearing on the budget scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers;
• The second will be after he’s sworn in as mayor. The city charter gives him the authority to submit an amended budget to council to act on by Feb. 15.
George, 64, a city councilman and former city police chief now working as a school resource officer at the Wilkes-Barre Career and Technical Center, won the Nov. 3 general election as a Democrat, beating Republican Frank Sorick.
Leighton, who leaves office after three four-year terms, stood by his proposal.
“It’s a very sound budget,” he said, adding he’s submitted 13 budgets that have been good for the taxpayers.
“There’s probably no need to raise taxes,” Leighton said.
To be successful, George has to maintain the city’s credit rating, be fiscally responsible and avoid deficit spending, Leighton said. But George appears to be setting himself up for trouble with some of the programs he plans to implement, Leighton said.
The mayor-elect’s plans included restoring the Help Line position so that residents can speak to a live person at City Hall and state their complaints. He also called for instituting the Clutter Clean Up program as soon as the budget allows and reestablishing the Neighborhood Impact Team to reduce blight.
Leighton called the Help Line George’s “first example of wasting taxpayer money.” Residents can and do call the department heads and City Hall and creating a separate position for the Help Line is unnecessary, he said.
As for the Clutter Clean Up, Leighton said he looks forward to it as a private citizen. “Somebody needs to show me how he’s going to pay for it,” he said.
The city already has a Community Action Team to do the work of the NIT, Leighton said.
“He can’t start spending money he doesn’t have,” Leighton said.
He reserved his biggest criticism for George’s plan to “change the strategy from reactive to proactive policing in the police department.”
“That’s an insult to every one of our police officers and other law enforcement officer who’s been in our city over the last 12 years including those who have been shot at and shot,” Leighton said.
During his administration the police department has worked with outside law enforcement agencies in undercover investigations, Leighton said.
George served as police chief from 2000 until 2004 when Leighton first took office and appointed Gerry Dessoye to the position. Dessoye retired last year and Robert Hughes was named as his replacement.
George campaigned on a law and order platform to make the city safe for residents and to attract businesses and development.
He disputed Leighton’s claims of wasteful spending, saying the Help Line position could be filled by restructuring positions in City Hall.
“All the time people say they call and get answering machines,” he said.
Until he completes his review, he said it would be premature to give specifics. “I want to see where he’s getting these numbers from,” George said.