Taxes Proposed to Remain Steady in Kittanning

Kittanning Borough Councilwoman Betsy Wilt asked to delay tentatively-adopting the 2017 budget after feeling un-invited to attend a Finance Committee workshop last week. The budget was tentatively adopted after a majority vote.

Kittanning Borough Councilwoman Betsy Wilt asked to delay tentatively-adopting the 2017 budget after feeling un-invited to attend a Finance Committee workshop last week. The budget was tentatively adopted after a majority vote.

by Jonathan Weaver

An increase in revenue will offset rising hospitalization expenses in 2017, leaving Kittanning Borough with a balanced budget, Council members revealed Monday.

Borough Council voted 5-1 to tentatively adopt their 2017 budget – a nearly-$2.6 million spending plan that does not assume increased tax or garbage rates, Finance Chairman Wilbur Stitt said.

“No tax increase – that’s the main thing,” Stitt said. “(Former Council President and current Councilman) Gerald Shuster (would call this) a ‘bare-bones budget.’

“No extras – there’s no money left for anything.”

Council President Kim Fox said there are some changes compared to last year’s budget, though – which Stitt said included a more-than $45,000 increase in police officers, garbage and street workers’ hospitalization costs.

Stitt said Borough Council is actively negotiating with those entities to select healthcare plans, but is not aware of an agreement.

Finance Committee Chair Wilbur Stitt outlined portioned of the tentative 2017 Kittanning Borough budget last night. The budget will be available for public inspection before the final vote in December.

Finance Committee Chair Wilbur Stitt outlined portioned of the tentative 2017 Kittanning Borough budget last night. The budget will be available for public inspection before the final vote in December.

Overall wage decreases and fund transfers helped to offset the rise in healthcare expenses.

First Ward Councilwoman Betsy Wilt asked to delay the vote until after a work session to review revenues and expenses, but Councilmen Ange Turco and Shuster motioned and seconded the agenda item.

“I haven’t even had a chance to look at it,” Wilt said. “I do think that we should sometimes come together and discuss things.”

Wilt expressed that she felt un-invited to a committee session to discuss the budget last week – which Stitt apologized for.

The tentative budget was approved 5-1, with Councilman David Croyle opposed and Councilmen Chris Schiano and Andrew Peters absent.

Council members also voted and approved to advertise the 2017 budget ordinance and review possible tax anticipation loan offers – both also approved 5-1.

The largest expense for the Borough next year will continue to be related to the Borough police department, with a reported-roughly $850,000 budgeted toward overall police protection.

The budget will be available for public inspection until the next Borough Council meeting in December.

A final vote must be cast by December 31.

categories Kittanning Borough | November 8, 2016

1 Comment

  • By ktown_kid, November 8, 2016 @ 10:43 AM

    Wake up council, do you really think people can afford another tax increase in this poverty stricken town that is overrun by drug dealers and addicts. The revitalization project is a waste of time and money. Take a ride thru town and ask yourself….what is here that will bring people? What is downtown that will bring people? Kim fox shouldn’t even be on council, she may co own a house in kittanning until her divorce is finalized but resides in south buffalo township. This is the stuff we as taxpayers have to deal with.

Other Links to this Post

RSS feed for comments on this post.

Leave a comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.