Ford City Borough Council met last night to adopt their 2020 budget and several other items of business. Pictured are (L-R): Mayor Jeff Cogley, Council members Mary Alice Bryant, Tyson Klukan, Carol Fenyes, Beth Bowser, Marc Mantini, and Ray Klukan.
Ford City Treasurer Mary Louise Bittner said she wouldn’t rule out the need for a tax increase for the 2021 budget.
Ford City Borough Council last night adopted their 2020 budget that had no tax increase, despite the fact that the budget carried a deficit.
Ford City Treasurer Mary Louise Bittner cautioned council members to do a rate study, stating that water and garbage rates may not be covering the actual expenses.
“At the last meeting I attended, I recommended that Council should evaluate all taxes and fees to make sure they are in line with what the Borough needs.”
Bittner projected last month that the budget would have a deficit of $543,826. However, last night she revealed that number to be $556,716.
Councilman Tyson Klukan stated that the storm water project along the Allegheny River that has required installation of massive check valves is the main reason for the budget being so far in the red.
Former councilman Jerry Miklos asked if Bittner felt a tax increase would be necessary for 2021, and Bittner responded, “It’s too early to say, but I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Klukan also explained that because of the savings in costs to operate street lights since LED bulbs were installed, the Finance Committee moved 2.5 mills from street lighting to cover costs of paying for fire department apparatus.