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Tuesday, December 05, 1995 Page:
Property tax increase expected for residents
Residents will likely see an increase in property taxes in l996.
At a special meeting Monday, the Borough Council voted to increase property
taxes by 3 mills. Council still has to vote on the 1996 budget by the end of
the year, but approved a tax increase to be included in the budget.
For the last nine years the millage has been at 25 mills.
Borough Controller Jim Tomaine said the council could have waited until
they were behind the eight ball, or they could plan ahead.
One mill will be used for recycling and the remaining 2 mills for an
emergency power generator and other capital improvements.
A mill is a $1 tax on every $1,000 of assessed value. If a property is
assessed at $5,000 the home owner would pay $15 more in taxes.
With the tax increase, the borough will not have to resort to a loan.
“In the event of a power failure we cannot operate, and there are no
emergency communications for fire and police. And we could not operate our
heliport,” council President Ed Gryskiewicz said concerning one of the more
pressing capital improvements.
“The older homes in the borough are assessed at $3,000 to $5,000 and the
newer homes between $10,000 and $15,000,” councilman Robert Robine said.
The proposed budget, which we be re-calculated to include the 3 mill tax
hike is estimated at $830,950.
In other business, the borough plans to do recycling of glass, plastic and
paper in 1996.