SMETHPORT – The McKean County Commissioners unveiled their
proposed 2009 budget Wednesday, a spending plan that calls for a
1.5 mill increase in property taxes, bringing the millage rate to
8.75 using the 100 percent ratio adopted in 2004.
The hike will cost property owners ,15 per every ,1,000 of their
property’s assessed evaluation, or about ,70 a year for the average
home, if one uses the figures generated when homeowners applied
for a Homestead Exemption.
County taxes were last increased in 2003.
The commissioners provided a two page rationale for the
increase, citing a number of factors, including increased costs and
decreased support from the state, as well as the fact that the
previous board used a one time payment of ,1.2 million from the
Solid Waste Authority to balance the 2008 budget.
Among the “revenue shortfalls” listed in the cover letter, the
commissioners note that the state budget includes only zero to one
percent increases in funding for Human Services, a major
expenditure category in the county budget.
In addition, the state did not appropriate approximately
,100,000 as its share of the district attorney’s salary as had been
done in previous years.
They also point out the assessed value of real estate in the
county has increased only 0.06 percent this year, “far below the
rate of inflation,” and there has been an increase in the number of
delinquent property taxes.
Property taxes are by far the largest source of local revenue
for the county, making up about ,9.6 million of the approximately
,34.6 million of the total budget.
Another ,11.5 million comes from the state and ,6.4 million from
the federal government.
The balance of the revenue comes from a variety of fees and
other sources.
In a revenue cut that is more difficult to calculate, the
commissioners note that the City of Bradford has decided to take
their trash to a site in New York state, rather than the Rustick
landfill and that Port Allegany will change haulers at the end of
the month and their trash will also go to New York. Since Rustick
pays the county a royalty for every ton of garbage dumped at its
facility, that means the county, as well as the landfill, loses
revenue.
Also noted are some increased costs, including a 9 percent rise
in health insurance costs, “necessary wage increases for employees”
and the need to make a contribution to the retirement fund for the
first time in several years.
Noting that they eliminated the positions and salaries of county
manager and human resources director, they point out the sheriff is
now warden of the jail, with several management positions
eliminated there. They also expect to save about ,100,000 at the
jail by having staff prepare meals for the inmates.
In other cost-cutting or controlling moves, a new boiler and air
conditioning system have been installed in the courthouse, and the
maintenance department, rather than an outside contractor, is now
removing snow.
The cover letter ends with the statement that the commissioners
“… will continue to strive to hold down costs while continuing to
deliver needed services to county residents.”
