The lack of enough council members to hold a meeting halted Kittanning Borough last night from adopting a budget for 2019.
At the previous council meeting on December 3, Council approved a tentative budget. However, because no one had prepared a budget for 2019, the tentative budget approved was actually the 2018 budget.
Councilwoman Betsy Wilt met with Borough Secretary Betty Thompson and reviewed balances, making adjustments. Her budgetary figures showed revenue projected at $2,743,849 while expenditures are estimated to be $2,883,123. Money from fund balances will be used to balance the budget.
Wilt’s budget expects $774,000 in real estate taxes compared to 2018 totals of $758,000. She also anticipates putting $95,000 of parking meter income into the general budget.
Police and street workers salary and compensation expenses were increased by Wilt to show the raises agreed with the union. Chief Bruce Mathews’ salary will be increased from $76,120 to $80,192. The police secretarial position will increase to $23,175. The patrolmen salaries will go from $439,500 to $452,685. Group life insurance also doubled to $4,200.
Wilt also increased spending to fix alleys from $5,000 to $35,000.
Wilt, Scott Davis, Andy Peters, and Joe Kiehlmeier attended the meeting. Council President Kim Chiesa, David Croyle, Mike Johns, and Chris Schiano were absent. There needed to be five council members to be able to hold the meeting.
A date will be announced in the future for another meeting. The budget must be adopted before December 31, 2018.