Borough Council reviewed portions of the proposed 2014 budget that includes a tax increase during its public meeting Monday night.
Under the proposed $23.4 million budget, the millage will increase from 11.04 mills to 12.54 mills.
That means the average tax payer’s annual property tax bill would increase from $613 to $696, which is an additional $83, according to borough officials.
For taxpayers who qualify for the Homestead Exclusion, the increase would be reduced from $83 to $46 a year.
Council reviewed the Public Works budget Monday night, which Public Works Director Mark Whitfield described as “one of the more challenging budgets I’ve put together.”
The budget includes the loss of a contract with Centre Area Transportation Authority, forcing the cut of a part-time position; an increase in health and property insurance and two new positions to address necessary road repairs.
Whitfield said the quality of road conditions has dropped in the last several years due to a lack of manpower. The budget includes $140,000 for two street maintenance positions.
The budget for tree pruning increased by $70,000 from $35,000 to $105,000. Whitfield said the borough has not had the staff necessary to prune the 8,000 trees on streets and in parks. Trees are supposed to be pruned every five to seven years, however, Whitfield said unless the borough contracts out most of the work, the borough will continue to fall behind.
“Right now we only prune 350 trees a year and we should be pruning 1,150 a year,” he said.
Council is expected to review portions of the budget during a public hearing Dec. 9 and then approve a final budget on Dec. 16.
