Dunbar council holds taxes steady in tentative budget
DUNBAR – Council passed its 2005 tentative budget Monday without a tax increase. The $166,935 spending plan shows a $5,560 surplus.
But, that’s not how the night started out. Council began with a $6,140 deficit and was able to whittle it down to include the surplus.
The proposed spending plan shows that the borough receives $72,570 in taxes, $11,961 in licenses and permits, $5,000 in fines and forfeits, $25,000 from their Parker Hunter investment fund and $47,964 in rent revenue from the Veterans apartments, the post office and other rental properties.
When you add it all together, the borough’s total general income is set at $172,495.
On the expense side, the borough spends $45,502 on general government; $16,593 on police; $8,500 on health and safety; $10,600 on housing; $44,600 on highways, roads and streets; $500 on recreation; $1,000 on engineering; $720 on the health code officer; $4,800 on the maintenance building payment; $19,500 on health insurance; $4,000 on unemployment; $7,620 on federal income taxes; and $3,000 on miscellaneous expenses for a grand total of $178,635.
Under general government, the borough spends $3,780 on council, $720 on the mayor, $8,254 on the secretary/treasurer, $1,300 on the audit, $2,500 on legal fees, $12,000 on utilities, $2,000 on clean-up day, $2,100 on fire hydrants and $4,800 on a revolving charge at Lowes.
Under the police budget, council spends $450 on uniforms, $500 on office supplies, $300 on ACCU, TRAC/VASCAR, $800 on updates and training, $500 on equipment, $2,000 on gasoline and $1,000 on vehicle maintenance.
Council also spends $36,050 on wages and benefits a year.
The borough receives about $28,000 in PLGIT funds, which they spend on street lights, $12; vehicle maintenance, $2,000; salt for the streets, $5,500; street paving, $5,000; and $3,500 on miscellaneous items.
In other matters, council:
– Learned that the police committee interviewed another person for a part-time job. Councilman John Maddas also said that anyone interested in starting a Crime Watch in the borough should contact Mayor John Williams.
– Learned that heaters at seven out of 10 units at the Veterans Project have been serviced. Councilwoman Kathy Dynes also asked council to advertise for bids on one unit that needs to be repaired or renovated.
Council agreed and said that bids will be due on Dec. 20 at noon. The bids are expected to be opened at the regular council meeting that night at 7:30 p.m.
– Learned that the town’s Christmas lights are up. Councilman William Watson said Light-Up Night is tentatively set for Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. at the Dunbar Volunteer Fire Station. He said that Santa is expected to pay the borough a visit.
– Learned that the Dunbar Eagles will begin removing old playground equipment as long as the good weather holds up. Dynes said the Eagles agreed to remove the playground equipment under a grant that included donated services.
Dynes said that when the old playground equipment is removed, she doesn’t want holes left in the ground that could cause a tripping hazard.
– Passed a resolution allowing them to charge $50 instead of $15 for lien letters.
Council President Frank Zadell said when people move a lien letter is required.
Transferred $13,199 from the building fund to the police fund. Zadell said the building fund money was set aside some time ago with the hope that the borough could purchase the Post Office.
The money, according to Zadell will be used to pay part of the borough’s cost for a federal COPS grant.