Dawson council approves budget
DAWSON – Council passed the 2004 budget without a tax hike Monday. The $40,625 spending plan shows that the borough has $75,557 in un-appropriated funds. The budget also shows expected revenues in the amount of $12,000 from real estate taxes, $1,400 from per capita taxes, $500 in business license fees, $300 in liquor license fees and $800 in interest, rents and royalties.
Additional revenues are expected to come from delinquent taxes from the county in the amount of $2,100, public utility realty taxes in the amount of $70, earned income taxes in the amount of $24,000, real estate transfer taxes in the amount of $800, fines and forfeits in the amount of $1,700 and miscellaneous income in the amount of $300.
The expenses show that the borough expects to spend $5,100 on code enforcement and police services, $6,080 on street lighting, $6,505 on insurance, $2,125 on fire hydrant rental, $1,200 on commission for taxes collected and $2,900 on utilities.
The budget also shows that the borough expects to spend $100 on emergency management services, $230 on membership dues, $100 on the tax collector’s postage, bond and books and $300 on audit fees.
Secretary Mary Jane Winterhalter reported that the borough would pay an extra $100 next year on the rental of the CSX Railroad Station. Winterhalter said the borough is now paying $100 but she received notification from CSX officials that the price will be raised to $200 a year in June.
Other expenses include $2,000 for legal fees and advertising, $400 for building, grounds, maintenance and supplies, $300 for clerical supplies and postage, $6,880 for the secretary’s salary, $250 for the secretary’s bond, $2,000 for maintenance wages, a $2,000 donation to the fire department, $1,800 for employer contributions to benefits and $255 for animal control.
In other related matters, council agreed to keep the borough’s tax rate at 1.284 for the upcoming year.
They also passed a motion approving a resolution to extend the Yough Sanitary Authority’s term of existence by 50 years.
Mayor Barbara Wilhelm told council that a resident in the borough using a CB radio is still causing problems in town with telephone and television service. Wilhelm said she called the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to report the problem because the resident was using “foul language” during daylight hours.
“It’s a shame,” said Wilhelm. “This guy is on that CB day and night and you can hear what he is saying through your television or telephone.”
Wilhelm said the FCC told her to report the problem to borough police officer Chris Kozlowski and have him turn in a report to them.
Council also agreed to have Widmer Engineering Inc. apply for a stormwater management grant through the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority. Councilwoman Donna Martin said the deadline for the grant application is January.
Council additionally agreed to hold their reorganization meeting on Jan. 5 at 6:45 p.m. and their regular monthly meeting following the reorganization meeting at 7 p.m.