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Tax rate on way up in Greene
As a result, county taxpayers will feel the pain in the form of a 1.22-mill property tax increase that commissioners will approve at their regular meeting today.
"Those four items put us down $1 million right off the bat, and those are things that we didn't have any control over," Commissioner Pam Snyder said at the agenda meeting Wednesday. "I am extremely sorry we have to do this to the families of Greene County."
Under the proposed tax rate of 7.64 mills, the owner of a $50,000 house will pay an extra $61 a year. That homeowner paid $321 in county property taxes last year, and he will pay $382 next year.
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The county's health insurance premium and pension contribution will each jump next year by more than 40 percent to about $1.5 million for health insurance and $500,000 for retirement.
The state will decrease subsidies and grants to all counties, due to its own budget problems. The value of coal has also dropped because of the sluggish economy, which means the county will collect less in tax revenue through that mineral.
The county's financial picture isn't completely bleak, however. Last month, commissioners contracted with natural gas driller Tanglewood Exploration to extract gas under several county properties for a 20 percent share in the royalties. The county should get a $400,000 advance on those royalties before the end of the year.
County leaders will cut spending by about 2 percent next year. The recreation department will see its budget decreased by 24 percent, due to fewer capital improvements. Earlier this year, the county tackled several renovation projects at the airport, fairgrounds and Carmichaels Pool, but no such improvements are planned for 2010.
The county laid off some workers a few months ago during the state budget impasse, and at least two of those positions, one in the commissioners unit and another in economic development, will not be filled. Management employees will also not get raises this year.
Other departments that will see spending cuts include housing, a 63 percent drop in salaries and professional services; maintenance, a 12 percent decrease largely in supplies; and the treasurer's office, a 29 percent decrease because the county will not use the general fund to make debt service payments.
Instead, the county will increase its property tax allotment to the sinking fund to pay on bonds issued in 2006 and 2008. Commissioners never adjusted the millage rate breakdown after floating those bonds.
Under the proposed millage rate, 6.77 mills will be reserved for the general fund, 0.80 mills will go to the sinking fund and 0.07 mills is for the library system. The tax increase will increase revenue by $1.3 million for the general fund, $245,000 for the sinking fund and $12,250 for the library fund.
Commissioners noted they have not raised taxes in six years, but avoiding a tax hike this year would be nearly impossible. In the past two years, commissioners dipped into the reserve fund to balance the budget, but they opted not to take that course this year.
"We don't want to run that fund balance down to nothing," Snyder said.
That fund is estimated at $1.6 million and under the tentative 2010 budget, the county is supposed to make a modest contribution to the reserves of about $40,000.
The county's unified budget will stand at $25.67 million, which includes Human Services and other departments that are mostly funded through state and federal subsidies. That overall figure is a decrease of about 8 percent compared to the 2009 spending plan.
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Penny on the Pound : 11/19/2009
Hindsite tells us that THIS state needs to get its head (as opposed to hands) around an extraction tax, contamination/pollution bonds, performance bonds and propotional well drilling and land use permits. This county and other rural communities have given up more than it residents have ever bargined for and our TAX structure is built on the vacuum these industries leave behind in the wake of properity.
how impressive!!! : 11/19/2009
A whole 2% for cuts! now thats a real step forward. we are being lead by the most inept group of commissioners that has ever been. instead of making the tough decisions where cuts need to really be made, they pass the buck and ask the taxpayers to make the tough cuts. time for dave and Pam to go!
Inept not the word : 11/19/2009
Brilliant !! Let's tax one of the poorest counties in Pennsylvania even more. Commissioners, don't you think some additional cutbacks might be the better solution ? Your pink slips will be coming next election.
More Taxes??? : 11/19/2009
What happened to the decrease in taxes we were supposed to see from legalizing slots in PA? Our great "Godfather Rendell" said we would all see lower taxes if we legalized gambling! What a bunch of Hogwash! Greed is the biggest problem we have in this country today!!!
Not Good! : 11/19/2009
During hard financial times.. Government Officers need to Cut taxes, not raise them..I hope they reconsider this bold move..I'm sure they could find some fat in the budget, Please re-consider!
fat budget : 11/19/2009
honestly, i don't think there is a lot of fat in the budget... unless you look at the salary of some of the management positions, Commissioners included. It is sad to think 3 of the highest paid Greene County employees don't even live in Greene County.
Leadership in tough times : 11/19/2009
Nobody likes a tax increse, but considering the county has been left to clean up the state's mess- as they pushed down their problems to the county level- i commend the commissioner's for stepping up to do what they needed to do. After all- they are taxpayers, too. The cowadly thing would have been to push these problems down further as the state did. So many count on the services provided in the county budget and we have an obligation to continue to ensure individuals, such as foster children, are take care.
It is the School Tax : 11/19/2009
every one complains about. Municipal and County taxes really don't amount to a lot compared to them.
read the article again people : 11/19/2009
For those commenting on the ineptness of the commissioners, you should learn to read and comprehend. Maybe you missed the part about health care and pension contributions going up 40%!! You’re probably the same folks against the federal government creating health care for all. Why do you think it’s going up 40%?? Probably to line the pockets of the corporations you enjoy giving those tax breaks to. Would I like to pay less taxes...sure, but having not had a tax increase for 6 years I think is pretty good.
tax,tax,tax!!!!!!!!!! : 11/19/2009
Yep,that seems to be the answer. Tax us even more. There are many residents,like myself on fixed incomes in Greene County. We've worked hard all our lives to enjoy are retierment and yet,goverment on the local,state and federal levels doesn't seem to want it that way. Our U.S. Goverment does't seem to think we need a raise in social security next year. According to them the cost of living is down. UMMMMM,buy gas latly,been grocery shopping,my perscription coverage is going up next year. Yea,it's cheaper alright,BOLOGNA!!!!!!! Get with it commissioners,go back and look at it again.
County LocalGovernment : 11/19/2009
Nobody likes a tax increase but I think we get alot for our tax dollars out of county government. Those dollars go to run the court system, domestic relations, probation, sheriff's department, and the clerk of courts. Tax dollars also run the register and recorders office and tax assessment. The monies also help run Children and youth services, mental health and mental retardation services and drug and alcohol. Monies also go to run recreation which includes the Fairgrounds, swimming pools, walking trail and a roller rink. These dollars help maintain over 75 bridges. Monies also go to help fund Westmoreland Community College, Penn State Extension Office, the Humane Society, the local fire companies, Historical Society and the Greene County Library System. I think that is a lot for our county taxpayer dollars.
It figures... : 11/19/2009
Why doesn't the county do away with all the folks working at the Tourism Office, since touists don't visit here, that ought to save some cash. And after our county is destroyed by the gas wells and pollution and folks can't drink the water anymore then let Pam & Dave rule the wastelands.
trim fat? : 11/20/2009
most of the non-management employees for the county are some of the lowest paid in the state. They are public employees... if you think you can do a better job with the budget, I look forward to seeing your name on the ballot at the next election.
REPLACE COUNTY OFFICIALS!!! : 11/20/2009
It is time to clean out the trash in Greene County and I say we start with our elected officials. First they promise us hundreds of jobs with the new WalMart which has already cut 60+ employees,then they want to spend millions revamping the slum pit we call High street. I say let the citizens of Greene Keep their money. NO MORE TAXES!!!!!
