Dawson passes budget with no tax hike
DAWSON – Council passed a tentative 2005 budget Monday without a tax hike. The $36,826 spending plan shows that the borough has $69,189 in unappropriated funds. The budget also shows expected revenues in the amount of $40,870 from estate taxes, $1,400 from per capita taxes, $500 in business license fees and $300 in liquor license fees and $1,100 in interest, rents and royalties.
Additional revenues are expected to come from delinquent taxes from the county in the amount of $2,200, public utility realty taxes in the amount of $70, earned income taxes in the amount of $22,500, real estate transfer taxes in the amount of $800, fines and forfeits in the amount of $500 and $500 in miscellaneous income.
The expenses show that the borough expects to spend $1,100 on commission on taxes collected, $2,125 on fire hydrant rental, $100 on emergency management, $6,636 on insurance, $2,900 on utilities and $2,00 on rental of the railroad station, owned by CSX.
The budget additionally shows that the borough expects to spend $300 on membership dues, $100 on tax collector’s postage/bond and books, $300 on audit fees, $2,000 on legal fees and advertising, $200 on buildings, grounds and maintenance supplies and $300 on clerical supplies and postage.
More money, $6,680 is expected to be paid out for the secretary’s salary, $250 on the secretary’s bond, $2,000 on maintenance wages, a $2,000 donation to the Dawson Volunteer Fire Company, $1,500 for code enforcement, $6,080 for street lighting, $1,600 for employer contributions to benefits and $255 for animal control.
In a related matter, it was reported that some residents are in arrears when it comes to paying per capita taxes. Mayor Barbara Wilhelm said she recently sat down with the tax collector to go over the books.
In other unrelated matters, council learned about public officials liability insurance from insurance agent Brian Higbee. Higbee explained that most municipalities in the area subscribe to the added insurance, but said that council needed to make up its collective mind if it would be beneficial for them.
Solicitor Richard Husband told council that most municipalities are covered by “sovereign immunity,” which means that they can’t be sued for unforeseen events. He also told council, however, that if they can afford the public officials liability insurance they should take it.
Higbee said the cost for the insurance would be an additional $2,000 a year. Council did not take a vote on the matter.
In other business, council:
– Discussed placing a mirror on the corner of Main and Railroad streets. Council received a letter from PennDOT (PennDOT owns the road) telling them that they must make application for the mirror.
– Discussed allowing code enforcement officer Mike Garlowich to act as police officer in the borough when he is in town. Wilhelm said Garlowich is Chief of Police in Dunbar Borough so he is more than qualified for the position.
– Council agreed to meet with Garlowich next month to discuss the situation since Wilhelm said Garlowich is willing to work at the code enforcement officers wages of $10 per hour.
– Council agreed to have Husband draw up a property maintenance code ordinance that will help Garlowich get rid of junk vehicles in the borough.
– Agreed to purchase five new Christmas tree decorations to be mounted on utility poles for the town. Councilwoman Phyllis Newill said the five new lights would be added to the borough’s 10 bought last year. Council set a $350 cap on the purchase and installation of the lights.