County Budget Adopted with Tax Increase
County taxpayers spent most of the hour-long meeting pleaded for taxpayers not to pass a tax increase to balance the 2016 budget. However, still an eight-percent increase was officially adopted.
By Jonathan Weaver and Sarah Hepfl
The Armstrong County Commissioners met yesterday to discuss the Armstrong County 2016 budget, and came to a final decision.
At the end of the meeting, commissioners voted 2-1 in favor of a $21 million budget.
This budget is $643,000 more than last year’s budget, and will be subsidized by an overall 1.5 mill tax increase - or eight percent.
Financial Director Jennifer Long explained why the tax increase had to be done.
“The increases and things that we have are things that we are obligated to do. We scaled back in total on things like raises; we kind of instituted a hiring freeze.
We looked just at the variable costs that are under our control that we could do.”
Long explained additional cuts were made to reduce the tax hike from the 17 percent increase projected last month, such as to Armstrong 9-1-1 and the Belmont Complex.
“We did make some cuts there kind of across the board so all departments - things like the materials and supplies, the travel - where we could we cut them back from … where we were last year.”
Dan Lynch of Templeton said many projects could have been delayed, including 3-D mapping, to trim that increase to zero.
“Whether it be eight percent or 17 percent, it’s an increase. If you have to pass on a tax increase, you three gentlemen have failed,” Lynch said.
Commissioner Rich Fink said the budget also includes many unfunded mandates.
“To do a tax increases isn’t something any elected official likes to do,” Fink said.
Commissioner Chair David Battaglia was the only commissioner opposed to the tax increase, along with many county citizens.
“…The key to not having another tax increase is to reduce the number of employees we have. Because until you lower the number of employees you’re not going to reduce your expenses, you’re not going to reduce your taxes because healthcare will go up and pensions will go up and it’s very hard to cut theirs,” Battaglia said.
Currently, about 600 people are employed by the County.
Jorn Jensen, of West Franklin Township, said there is no excuse for the tax increase and that commissioners should’ve factored failing businesses into their decision.
“When you start a preliminary budget, you should’ve start at a zero percent increase and cut from there,” Jensen said. “For example: the eight-and-one-half healthcare increase – pass that on to the employees. I don’t care if they’re union or non-union.
“You have to realize the condition of this county.”
Employees currently spend 10 percent on healthcare premiums
Connie Gaiser, of East Franklin Township, said that commissioners should focus more on recruiting businesses. She agreed current employees should pay for the increase.
Commissioner Fink went on to say that commissioners are trying to keep jobs in the county, but some employees, like at the Armstrong County Jail, needed an increase.
John Shellhammer, of Ford City, was one of those long-time employees at ATI. He worked at the plant for 25 years
“We want to bring people into the county, to bring jobs here,” Shellhammer said. “When people look to buy a house, what’s the first thing they look at? What am I paying in taxes.
“If you vote for this increase, you commissioners should hang your head in shame.”
Battaglia concurred that the 350 job losses will have an affect across multiple industries in the region.
Rural Valley Resident Angelo Bleggi predicted the soon-to-be sworn in commissioners will be “flabbergasted” after they take their offices.
Concerned residents booed after the final vote.
The action was the final decision made by the current Board of Commissioners. Elected-commissioners Pat Fabian, George Skamai and Jason Renshaw will fill the seats currently held by Commissioner Rich Fink, David Battaglia and Bob Bower officially January 4.
Local News | jweaver December 18, 2015
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