Borough Budget Will Give Taxpayers $150 Cut

Homeowners could see a $175 cut in the municipal portion of their tax bill under a budget proposal spearheaded by Councilman Ray Rusnak (R), head of the Council's finance committee.

The budget was the key item for discussion at Monday's Council meeting.  Originally Council members were scheduled to vote on the spending plan that evening, but due to delays in the state approving it, the vote was postponed.  Council members unanimously approved an estimated tax bill for the third quarter instead.

According to Rusnak, the 2010 budget trims the number of borough employees and cuts expenses.  In addition, the average homeowner will see the municipal portion of the bill drop by about $175 when compared to 2009.

Mayor Charles Butrico (D) took issue with the tax reduction, saying the Borough would actually see an increase in the tax levy when compared to the last full-year budget.  He said the tax levy would go up about a million dollars the way he saw it.

But Rusnak explained that the mayor's comparison was faulty because Butrico was comparing this year's calendar-year budget to a fiscal-year budget that was in place 18 months ago.  In the meantime the Borough converted to a calendar year and had a six-month transition budget in between.

Rusnak said homeowners could simply compare their 2009 tax bills to their 2010 tax bills to see their savings.  Another council member reminded the mayor that he himself had said this would be the proper comparison last year when the Council switched away from a fiscal-year budget and changed to a calendar year.

Based on the reduction, homeowners will also see a drop in their overall 2010 taxes.  The schools part of the bill will be down slightly, but the part of the bill managed by the county will go up. 

In other action, the Council approved the promotions of Lieutenant James Parker to Captain and Sergeant Philip Aquilina to Lieutenant.  The two were sworn in by Council President Matt Anesh (R), and a reception at Flanagan's followed.