Kittanning Borough 2016 Budget Passed
The other five council members, Solicitor Ty Heller and Mayor Kirk Atwood all thanked Councilwoman Joie Pryde for her efforts during the past four-and-a-half years. Pryde did not run for re-election in 2015.
by Jonathan Weaver
The 2016 Kittanning Borough budget may not be written in ink, even come January 1.
Following a personnel executive session, a majority of council members last night approved the $2.6 million funding plan 4-2.
However, First Ward Council members David Croyle and Betsy Wilt both voted against the ordinance and both thought the budget would be re-opened in January.
Kittanning Borough Councilwoman Betsy Wilt pledged to re-open the 2016 budget at the beginning of next year to address some issues.
“I have some concerns about some of the expenses for 2016 versus the revenue we’re bringing in,” Wilt said. “I plan to re-open the budget in January and address some issues.”
Even without a majority last night, Wilt was confident a majority vote will be cast to re-open the budget.
“There are many line items in the budget that are incorrect,” Croyle said. “For instance, we do not know our union contracts that we are now negotiating are going to be. Therefore, whatever we put in the budget is just a number right now.
“I fully believe that in 2016, the next Council will re-open this budget and re-work it when these union contracts are settled. Hopefully, that will come sometime yet this month.
“The numbers for revenue were totally over-inflated. We are running about $175,000 deficit that has to be made up (in 2016) without a tax increase.”
But, as of now, the budget is balanced and taxpayers will not realize more than 27.5 mills of taxes.
Croyle opposed Solicitor Ty Heller’s recommendation last month to start preparations for a possible tax anticipation loan as well.
Budget Committee members Joie Pryde and Wilbur Stitt comprised the tentative budget. Last month, Stitt said spending was nearly “at (Kittanning Borough’s) max.”
One item the future Council may not have to look at is the annual $10,000 allocations to each of the three Borough fire departments – Hose Company #1, #4 and #6.
Last month, Council tabled a decision on possibly rolling over any unused funding during the next calendar year, but no council members made a motion to do so last night.
Kittanning Council President Pro-Temp said he is concerned about the state of the budget and agreed with Wilt that it will need to be revisited next month.
Croyle, who led the meeting in the absence of Council President Andy Peters and Vice-President Kim Fox, was in-favor of keeping the allotment structure as-is because leaving an indefinite reimbursable cap could leave possible accounting issues for the Borough.
“My personal opinion is I think it’s worked the way it has. I think it’s a good system,” Croyle said. “Every year that I’ve looked at it so far, they’re spending within that reasonable amount of $10,000 – I’m sure they can come up with enough receipts to spend $10,000 and not have an issue with that.”
As of October, all three departments had spent more than $9,000 each, according to Councilwoman Pryde.
“It appears likely that they’re not going to spend their $10,000 this year,” Pryde said.
Fire Marshal Earl “Buzz” Kline said un-anticipated repairs can still make volunteer firefighters nervous as they approach the $10,000 cap.
“It’s doable, but sometimes it does get close. You don’t know when something’s going to happen when you need (to make) a major repair,” Kline said.
Each fire department is responsible for paying repairs or costs that exceed their annual allotment.
Last night was Pryde’s last council meeting at the head table. She did not run for re-election earlier this year.
Her Second Ward chair will be filled by former Council President Jerry Shuster, who was not opposed on the election ballot.
Ironically, Pryde was appointed to fill Shuster’s seat in 2011 after he resigned just a week before the May 2011 Primary.
All six council members, along with Mayor Kirk Atwood, Solicitor Ty Heller and Police Chief Bruce Mathews, praised Pryde for the work she has done during her service.
“Sometimes we’ve had wonderful times together and sometimes not so much, but I’ve always respected (Pryde) and (her) opinions,” Mayor Atwood said. “It’s been great serving with (Pryde).”
Croyle commended Pryde for her efforts to offset expenses by way of multiple grants.
Kittanning Borough | jweaver December 8, 2015
