Kittanning Borough Tax Collector Erin Lasher talks with Finance Committee Chairman Wilbur Stitt (far left) about her commission rate Monday night. Lasher will be paid two percent for local taxes collected in 2017.
by Jonathan Weaver
Armstrong County’s 45 tax collectors might be in for a reduced commission rate if a local ordinance is adopted next week.
Armstrong County commissioners have advertised for tax collectors to be paid $4 per bill collected rather than be paid 2.5 percent.
Tax collectors would also be given a $250 stipend for supplies if the ordinance were passed.
Commissioner Chair Pat Fabian said three of the 24 six-class counties in the state pay tax collectors based on percentages– including Armstrong. The other 21 counties pay on a flat per-bill rate.
“The average among the six-class counties is $2.50 per bill collected,” Fabian said. “Across the commonwealth, the average collection rate is between $3 and $4 per bill collected.”
Tax collectors impact the department budget currently by more than $469,000, but commissioners hope to save nearly half of that – about $260,000.
While that change would impact county collections, Kittanning Borough elected officials are also looking to reduce expenses.
Borough Council members decided Monday to reduce local tax collector Erin Lasher’s percentage reimbursement from three percent before penalty and five percent after penalty to a flat-two percent.
Lasher – who argued that she does not receive benefits, health insurance or material stipend -openly negotiated that rate with elected officials when she addressed her job duties at the regular monthly meeting.
“I provide an excellent community service to everyone, not only property owners, businesses, real estate agents, anyone who is buying property or selling property,” Lasher said. “I’m not only speaking for myself because this is an election year, but I’m also speaking for future tax collectors. I work very hard to bring $900,000 into this borough every year.”
After further discussion with Lasher, council members unanimously approved the two-percent rate.
“I am fine with a small decrease for the good of the borough. Absolutely,” Lasher said. “I live here.”
Councilman Gerald Shuster said council members should have talked with Lasher about the proposed change before the public meeting.