Nov 18, 2016 By Jon Stevens for The 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – Greene County commissioners Thursday approved its proposed $20.981 million general fund budget, and when the 2017 spending plan is adopted in December, it is expected the tax rate will remain unchanged.

Final action on the budget is slated for Dec. 15. The public will have an opportunity to view the budget during a 20-day inspection period. It will be available on the county’s website at www.co.greene.pa.us., and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the office of Greene County Chief Clerk Jeff Marshall.

If no changes are made to the budget from now until final adoption, the property tax rate will remain at 7.535 mills, with 6.77 mills going to the general fund, 0.695 mills to pay for bond issues and 0.07 mills going to the library system.

“Right now, the budget reflects $500,000 more in expenses over revenue,” Marshall said, “but we plan to draw that money from the fund balance.”

Marshall also said the 2017 budget is approximately $1.2 million higher than the 2016 budget. That is attributable, he said to increases in insurance, human services expenditures and union contracts.

“This is a no-frills budget designed to meet operating expenses,” Marshall said.

The $31.858 million unified budget includes, in addition to the $20.981 million general fund expenditures, $1,041,672 for core human services and transportation programs; $3,214,505 for children and youth services; $2,614,497 for mental health/IDD; $1,120,000 in state liquid fuels; $867,785 for domestic relations; $427,044 for drug and alcohol; $871,191 for the 911 fund; $510,969 in Community Development Block Grants; and $210,000 for the tourism fund.

Also on Thursday, the commissioners acknowledged the achievements of four Waynesburg Central High School sports teams on winning section championships. They included the boys and girls soccer steams, boys cross country team and girls volleyball team. Additionally, Ben Bumgarner was recognized for becoming the first runner from Waynesburg Central to win a Class AA state championship in cross country.

Justin Stephenson, assistant principal and athletic director at the high school, accepted the certificates on behalf of the teams and individuals.

In other business, the commissioners:

n Approved $3,000 grants to16 county volunteer fire departments.

n Reappointed Corbly Orndorff and Charles Day to the Farmland Preservation board of directors.