Commissioners approve proposed $29.1 million budget for 2015
WAYNESBURG — Greene County commissioners on Thursday approved a tentative $29.1 million budget for 2015, which is higher that this year’s budget, but holds the line on property taxes.
The total proposed operating budget includes the general fund and state and federal funding for county programs, as well as proceeds from Marcellus shale natural gas drilling impact fees.
The 2015 proposed budget is nearly $2 million more than last year’s budget, which totaled $27.4 million.
The budget includes $19.06 million for the general fund, $1.78 million for core human services and transportation programs, $2.88 million for children and youth services, $2.55 million for human services block grant funding, a $1.12 million state liquid fuels fund, $558,372 for domestic relations, $467,150 for drug and alcohol services, $227,912 for the 911 fund, $219,850 in Community Development Block Grants and $241,500 for the tourism fund.
The 2015 general fund budget will see an increase of $1.3 million from this year’s general fund budget.
Officials said that although some departments will experience revenue decreases because of state and federal funding cuts, the overall budget will see an increase from 2014 due to salary and benefit increases for management and union, an increase of 12 percent in medical insurance and an increase in general liability and property insurance.
“Costs are up and state and federal revenues are down, but the impact fees are going to help keep our infrastructure where it needs to be, without putting the entire burden on the general fund budget,” said county Chief Clerk Jeff Marshall.
The county received $3.6 million in impact fees this year and is expected to receive approximately $3 million in 2015.
The county will use $366,000 from the fund balance to balance the 2015 budget. There is approximately $2 million in that funding stream, officials said.
The millage rate is expected to be the same as 2014, which is 7.535 mills; this includes 6.77 mills for the general fund, 0.695 mills for bond issues and 0.07 mills for the library system.
The budget and millage rate will be up for adoption at the commissioners’ Dec. 18 meeting.
The budget is now available for public inspection in the commissioners’ office, which is located at the Greene County Office Building. The budget also is available for viewing on the county’s website, www.co.greene.pa.us.
In addition to the budget, the commissioners accepted a proposal for a tax anticipation note at a fixed rate of 1.25 percent interest from Community Bank.
County officials explained that the loan can be used to fund county operations from Jan. 1, 2015, until the tax collection starts, and also could be used to balance cash flow if the state or federal grants that make up a certain amount of the 2014 budget are slow to reimburse the county.
Two banks submitted proposals, but commissioners approved Community Bank’s proposal because it offered the lowest interest rate at a fixed rate. The other proposal from PNC Bank had a variable interest rate of 1.3 percent.
Marshall said the maximum amount that the county will borrow is $2 million, with a breakdown of $1 million for the county’s general fund and $1 million for the human services program.
In other business, commissioners presented certificates of recognition to various residents.
Jan Caldwell, retiring director of the Corner Cupboard Food Bank in Waynesburg, was recognized for her service and her dedication to helping those in need across Greene County. Caldwell is retiring Friday after 14 years with the organization.
Commissioners also presented certificates to several recipients of Waynesburg Area Chamber of Commerce awards. Each year, local residents are invited to make nominations for the awards which are based on lasting contributions to community welfare, participation in civic organizations, evidence of leadership ability, success in vocation, personal and/or business progress, and cooperation with other individuals and organizations.
The 2014 winners are the Rev. Dr. Donald P. Wilson, who won the Chamber’s Individual Distinguished Service Award; Patriots Dream Riding Association, winner of the Chamber’s Organization Distinguished Service Award; and Ed and Sandy Zeglen, who received a special award from the Chamber.
Wilson, the Zeglans and the Patriots Dream Riding Association will be honored at the Chamber’s annual Membership Meeting and Banquet on Nov. 22 at Waynesburg University.
Commissioners also presented certificates to several individuals and businesses who won awards this year for their contributions to the county Conservation District.
Certificates were presented to William Milesky, who won the Conservation Cooperator of the Year award; Ryan Egidi, Conservation Outstanding Forest Conservationist award; MaKayla Henary, Conservation Outstanding Conservation Speaker award; and Nello Construction, Conservation Outstanding Contractor award; and Tom Headlee and Jim Kenney, Conservation Service awards.
Headlee was recognized for 30 years of service to the conservation district, and Kenney was recognized for 10 years of service.
In other business, commissioners approved the 2014 three-year Community Development Plan to include 2014 funds for the second phase of a water line extension project along Happy Valley Road in Morgan Township; 2015 funds for Monongahela Township for East Dunkard Water Authority water line extensions, as well as Alicia/Poland Mines sewage; and 2016 funds for Wayne Township for water line extension on Jay Phillips Hill Road and Yeager Road.
In other business, commissioners approved grants in the amount of $3,000 to each of the 16 fire departments in the county. Marshall said the annual grant has varied each year since it was begun in 2004.