Commissioners to approve proposed 2017 county budget
WAYNESBURG — Greene County commissioners were expected Thursday to approve a 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.