No tax hikes in 2012 Chester County budget
The Chester County commissioners adopted a $513 million budget for 2012 that does not contain a property tax increase for the third straight year, but will include the first employee salary increases since 2009. The budget, approved unanimously by the three commissioners, calls for cuts in departmental expenditures of an average of 4 percent, although some mandated service areas such as the county court system will see expenses rise slightly. Under the budget, the county will levy a property tax of 3.695 mills. The median taxpayer in the county would thus see a county tax bill of $657.85 for a property with an assessed value of $165,915. A mill is worth $1 for every $1,000 in assessed value. The millage rate, while stable, will bring in significantly less revenue than in past years because of changes in the county’s property assessment levels. In the 2011 budget, the millage rate was supposed to bring in more than $158 million; preliminary estimates show that it will raise $5 million less in 2012. The full 2012 budget publication will be completed and on line by mid-next week on the county home page at www.chesco.org.
Source: Daily Local; 12/1/2011
Coatesville officials bracing for budget cuts
Coatesville City Council received input from various city department heads on its current budget crisis and will next decide where expenses should be cut. City Manager Gary Rawlings previously reported to council that the best way to make nearly $2 million in spending cuts is to reduce the size of the city police department through attrition and early retirement. Council also questioned the codes department about ways to cut costs. Codes Director Damalier Molina said he recently lost an employee in his department and is not looking to fill that position. He said the best way to balance the budget is to increase revenues through the instant ticketing program he has often suggested to council. Council has asked for a realistic estimate for how much the program will cost to implement and how quickly that cost could be offset. Molina was also questioned about why code violations are continually being thrown out of the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.
Source: Daily Local; 11/28/2011
No tax increase in Kennett Square’s budget
Kennett Square Council‘s 2012 proposed budget keeps the tax rate at 4.85 mills. The borough increased taxes by one mill last year after facing a deficit of $240,000. Half of a mill was set aside to fund a new public works building. The $55 per quarter trash fee residents pay should generate about $280,000 in revenue. In the past three years, the borough has eliminated a $610,000 deficit in the general fund and this year’s budget makes accommodations to restore reserves in the fund.
Source: Daily Times; 11/29/2011
Oxford Borough Day
Oxford will hold a day of activities on Dec. 5 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Oxford Borough Hall, 401 Market Street and the Oxford Police Station, 57 N. 4th Street. Residents will be given the opportunity to review the budget, get up to date on the Borough code, and be a part of the visioning process for the community. This is an opportunity for residents to bring concerns, questions, and suggestions to members of the borough council, mayor, police chief, borough manager and employees. For more information call Betsy Brantner at: 610-932-2500, ext. 302.
Penn Township buys Red Rose Inn
Penn Township has reached a settlement to purchase the Red Rose Inn property through eminent domain at the cost of $1.7 million. The agreement includes the payment of $33,500 in back taxes. Once the township has title to the property, it will move forward with plans for the building. The plans include fixing the intersection to make it safer for travel and utilizing the building for municipal and community purposes. The township historic commission will seek to have the inn placed on the state register of historic places.
Source: Avon Grove Sun; 11/24/2011
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