Ford City 2016 Budget Passed
One of the last actions of Ford City Borough out-going Council Members Jerry Miklos (far left) and Vicki Schaub (second from the right) was voting for a 1.6 mill tax decrease that goes into effect January 1. A subsequent 2016 budget to reflect that decrease was also passed by a council majority.
by Jonathan Weaver
Ford City residents will be able to save about a collective $40,000 in 2016 - more than double initially intended -, but some residents and council members weren’t too happy about it.
Residents will only be assessed a tax rate of 15.8 mills - a decrease of 1.6 mills due to conversation at several recent special meeting or open workshops.
Last month’s advertised tax ordinance called for a .75 mill tax decrease.
Council President Kathy Bartuccio, Vice-President Jerry Miklos and Councilwoman Vicki Schaub voted for the tax ordinance while Councilman Gene Banks and Councilwoman Beth Bowser voted against it.
Bowser explained her vote was decided after meeting with Borough Accountant Virginia Finnegan.
“What I was seeing and what they were agreeing on wasn’t matching up, and I didn’t have peace about it. So I sat and had a two hour and 40 minute meeting with the treasurer,” Bowser said. “I asked her, ‘Can we afford this tax break?’ and she said ‘no.’
Bowser added that that tax break “would set (new council members) up for failure.” Bowser was re-appointed to fill former Councilman Scott Gaiser’s seat last month and will remain as an elected official next year.
“I can’t sit back and let that happen,” Bowser said.
She said taxes could have potentially remained the same had council members reworked street lighting and pension funds.
Miklos said next year’s council, like past elected bodies, would only spend the extra revenue.
“If you really want to do something in regard to cutting taxes, you have to have the will to do it. There’s a lack of will to do it here for a variety of reasons,” Miklos said. “If you start with the will to do it, it can be done. It has been done - it’s sad that some people don’t actually have the will to do it.”
Councilwoman Beth Bowser was opposed to the tax ordinance after discussions with Borough Accountant Virginia Finnegan indicated it would bind the hands of the incoming Borough Council. Bowser will also be part of next year’s Council.
Schaub said Bowser should have communicated with other council members about her concerns.
“I would have had a different outlook on things even if you would’ve talked to me before meeting the accountant,” Schaub said.
Stacy Klukan, of Fourth Avenue, also addressed concerns before the final vote.
“If we already have a debt of $581,000 from the federal government, why are you going to make us go into even more debt by decreasing taxes? We should keep them the same,” Klukan said. “It’s very ignorant and rude to do this to us as people concerned with how (the Borough) is going to pay these other bills.
“We need every penny right now.”
The passed $8 million budget reflected some additional changes based on that tax decrease, Borough Manager Eden Ratliff explained.
“There are various lines that you will see changes made, but perhaps the most significant change that was made (was) this budget does not reflect a local cash match of $145,650 for the Department of Community and Economic Development Multimodal Transportation Fund,” Ratliff said.
A conversation with State Rep. Jeff Pyle indicated the likelihood of the Borough receiving the grant is “low,” Ratliff added.
Other changes include reductions in engineering and legal fees.
The budget passed 4-1, with Banks opposed.
The business license ordinance was repealed unanimously.
A mill equals about $27,000, but has been decreasing due to population.
In other business, two of the three proposed ordinances set for their final vote were also approved.
Council members also adopted the proposed animal and nuisance ordinances 3-2. Bowser and Banks again opposed.
Any Borough official or officer - including Ordinance Enforcement Officer Michele Meixelberger - is able to enforce the new ordinances.
Habitual offenders or those that do not remedy the violation are subject to $100-1,000 fines, not including attorney fees.
Schaub - who previously said she stood by the ordinances because of her exhaustive work on them - voted in-favor last night.
“If people can’t keep a nice community and quiet community, and keep the best interest of their neighbors in the community, you’ve got to set rules,” Schaub said.
However, council members unanimously opposed the proposed burning ordnance after hearing from a local resident who will continue to not be able to sit outside with his pet due to the burning limits.
“I say we don’t rush it and take the time to consider all voices, and do this thing the right way instead of doing something twice,” Bowser said. “It’s a good start, there are a lot of good things in there… but there are some parts that do need to be considered.
“I love these people, but I love Christmas, and I don’t want to guarantee something that might not be ready by the end of the year. Everyone should have the opportunity to be heard.”
Under the now-formerly proposed ordinance, burning would be Sundays and Mondays and only be allowed from 8-10AM and 6-8PM Tuesday through Saturday.
Recreational fires will be permitted Fridays and Saturdays, as well as Sundays that precede a holiday Monday.
Fire Chief Ron Wojcik or the highest-serving line officer is permitted to extinguish a recreational fire they deem in violation
Mayor Marc Mantini has 10 days if he wants to veto either of the ordinances.
A special council meeting will be held at 6PM December 30 in the Ford City Public Library.
By cementmixer, December 15, 2015 @ 8:08 PM
Are you kidding me! I’ve seen charlatans and bait and switch artists at their best, but the MikBar team does it better and with no hesitation-nor do they offer any apology to the residents for the legacy they leave filled with financial scheming. Not only have they duped the community which for some unknown reason rolls over and plays dead, but their actions can financially ruin both the community at large and one of the area’s outstanding fire departments. One would think that the community might soon wake up and smell the dung. And one more time, where is the money coming from to repay the feds and state for the $581,000 owed? Even if that scheme had a chance of working, does anyone in FC think other neighboring municipalities would let FC get away with stealing their money-funds they could use for waterlines like West Kittanning? John Ford will open up another glass plant first. Continue to sleep Ford City and you have no one to blame but yourselves!
By Just sayin, December 15, 2015 @ 11:01 PM
The mayor better veto these changes.
Sounds like Communism.
Maybe everyone who has an outdoor fireplace should burn on a Wednesday of a certain date and have a big noisy party until midnight.
It’s a shame that they are going after such things when people can’t walk on their sidewalks or grass after some dog owners let their dogs do their business on the sidewalks, alleys, and grass other than their own yards.
How about getting rid of the STENCH in this town? I’d MUCH RATHER SMELL BURNING WOOD than that filthy sewer smell that frequents the town.
We can’t even open our windows on nice days or even do yard work. We are forced to stay inside. This CAN’T be HEALTHY!!!!!!!!
By Just sayin, December 15, 2015 @ 11:21 PM
He better veto the “animal nuisance” ordinance, too.
People spend their own money in spaying and neutering these animals. Shame on the people who won’t allow them to be fed.
People can’t stop feeding them, once being fed.
Cats can’t find “birds” in the winter, especially when it is bitter cold and snow is all around.
What’s next —- not being allowed to feed wild birds??
I REALLY want to move.
I am beginning to hate this town I used to call beloved.
By jd718, December 16, 2015 @ 5:04 AM
cementmixer, For the most part I Agree with you 100%. However, I doubt they can ruin the Fire Department. The 100k surplus the Fire Dept. has concerns me, could some of that extra money go towards a much needed Police car?
By bob, December 16, 2015 @ 6:33 AM
@ cementmixer,
I am unsure what percentage of voters came out and cast their ballot in Ford City last month, but I remember thinking @ the time it was higher than average. The people of Ford City voted to remove these people because of the decisions they have made over the past year. I would not consider this to be the community sleeping. This budget will likely be reopened once the new council is in place in January.
By Just sayin, December 16, 2015 @ 1:00 PM
Has there ever been a fire over recreational fires?
If so, how many?
I don’t recall any.
By savvynewshound, December 16, 2015 @ 4:22 PM
It was great to see Beth stand up to Jerry and think independently. Jerry was shocked that Beth didn’t fold to his decisions. She has potential!!! Great job Beth Bowser!!!
By fc2010, December 16, 2015 @ 10:33 PM
@Bob: FC Northward turnout 50-51%. Southward 40-45%