County Proposed Budget Includes Tax Increase
Armstrong County Commissioner Chair David Battaglia said he would not vote for a tax increase at next month’s second public meeting and said officials need to right-size their department budgets. (KP File Photo)
by Jonathan Weaver
Rising expenses coupled with declining revenue led to a three-mill tax increase being proposed to balance the 2016 County budget yesterday.
The $21.8 million funding plan includes taxpayers paying more for both General Fund expenses and debt.
Residents paid 17.5 mills - 13.5 mills toward the General Fund - in taxes in 2015.
Residents last saw a two-mill tax increase in 2013.
Financial Advisor Jen Long said the budget process began in October when County officials were sent budget worksheets for their respective departments.
Still, Long asked department heads to look for more cost-savings before yesterday’s public proposal - which reflects a nearly-$1.2 million spending increase for things such as wages, health care and potential litigation.
“Most of those increases fall within the areas of salary and benefits,” Long said. “We do have contractual obligations to our union employees and we did include those salary increases for 2016 as well as anticipated new hires and increases for at-will employees
“We’ll continue to look at (the budget) and tweak it,” Long added.
Commissioners unanimously vote for the preliminary budget.
But, Commissioner Chair David Battaglia said his vote was to allow discussion, and that he would vote against any final budget that calls for a tax increase.
“A tax increase does not deal with the core issue that the County needs to right size. Health insurance and pension payments will only to continue to increase and eat up any new tax dollars. Increasing taxes nearly $3 million is not the answer,” Battagia said in an email.
Battaglia said one area discussion could be held is about the Armstrong County Health Center.
“The County needs to take ownership from the State and put together a Request for Proposal that requires the jobs and building to stay in Kittanning for five years. Also the employees should be able to pay into the County pension fund for five years,” Battaglia said.
The final budget will be voted on by the three outgoing-County Commissioners December 17.
Local News | jweaver November 17, 2015
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