Taylor passes tentative 2010 budget, still with no taxes
Published: November 12, 2009
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share thisTAYLOR - Borough council has introduced a $3.3 million tentative 2010 budget that does not include property taxes, but say they may have to reintroduce millage in phases starting next year.
The borough has not had property taxes since the early 1990s because of its host-municipality agreement with Alliance Sanitary Landfill. The agreement expires at the end of 2010, and the borough's guaranteed source of income will come to an end if the landfill's proposed 87-acre expansion is not approved by the state Department of Environmental Protection. A decision is not expected until 2010.
"It's not that we're waiting until the 11th hour," council President Ken Mickavicz said of not introducing a portion of millage next year.
Along with anticipated revenues, he said the borough still has enough of a reserve and surplus that it could hold off for another year before having to reintroduce taxes. Under its current agreement, Taylor receives $1.35 million annually from the landfill, along with free trash-collection service.
If the expansion is granted, Taylor would receive another estimated $36.9 million on top of the $23 million in host fees it has already received.
Council passed a motion at Councilman Ed Derenick's request to send DEP another letter, asking why it's taking so long for a decision on Alliance's proposal.
"We have to be sweating it out wondering what we're going to do," he said.
Meanwhile, the borough is still meeting with landfill officials about possibly extending or amending the host-municipality agreement, Mr. Mickavicz said.
In other business, council:
- Passed a resolution, lowering the amount police officers have to contribute to the police pension fund, from 4 percent to 2 percent. Borough Manager Daniel Zeleniak said that's because the fund is so solvent.
- Approved a motion to spend up to $2,500 to perform a wind feasibility study to determine if a wind turbine would work in the borough. Mr. Mickavicz said the borough is looking to partner with the Riverside School District, which passed a similar motion earlier this week.
Contact the writer: ssanger@timesshamrock.com
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