Nov 27, 2002 By Amy Karpinsky 3 min read

Uniontown City Council Tuesday approved a tentative general fund budget for 2003 that does not include a tax increase. The resolution was approved with a 4-1 vote during a special meeting. Council members Bob Cerjanec, Gary Crozier and Blair R. Jones Sr. and Mayor Jim Sileo voted in favor of the action, with Joe Giachetti casting the lone dissenting vote. Council also set a time of noon on Dec. 20 to adopt a final budget.

Giachetti made no comment in voting against the tentative budget.

Cerjanec, the director of accounts and finance, said the $6,285,438 budget is only a $10,711 increase over the $6,274,727 budget for 2002. Although the contracts for fire, police and non-uniform employees expire at the end of this year and negotiations continue, Cerjanec said he included 2 percent pay increases in the budget. He said health insurance, worker’s compensation and liability insurance all increased, but by using cash reserves and through attrition and staffing changes the deficits were cancelled.

Bringing in new employees at lower pay rates than their predecessors saved a total of $71,800 in salaries, Cerjanec said. While about $200,000 in cash reserve was used to ensure a balanced budget, Cerjanec said approximately $250,000 will remain in the reserve account, but that figure will increase.

“The 2003 budget is balanced,” he said.

As another way to cut expenses, Cerjanec said he used the 2000 operating expense figures and then calculated the necessary increases. Once again, real estate taxes and garbage rates will remain the same, Cerjanec said. However, city residents will pay an additional $3 per month for sewage service, as per a consent order from the state Department of Environmental Protection. Council previously approved that action.

In other action, council voted unanimously to approve the commitment from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to the Greater Uniontown Joint Sewage plant Authority which obligates the city for it’s share of the $14 million loan. The share is based on the percentage of use for the city. The authority also serves North and South Union townships. A plant expansion and improvement project is being mandated by DEP. As a part of the project, the storm and sanitary sewer lines must be separated.

Council approved the first reading of the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act (LERTA) authorizing the city to provide tax exemption to new construction in deteriorated areas and improvements to certain deteriorated properties. A public hearing on the issue will be held at 6 p.m. on Dec. 3 before the next regular council meeting. By adopting the 5-year resolution, the city will be continuing a program that was previously instituted.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Giachetti and Sileo spoke about the city’s efforts to crack down on unpaid sanitation bills. Giachetti thanked Cerjanec and solicitor Daniel R. Webster for their efforts and Sileo said the issue will be addressed after the first of the year.