Dunbar council adopts budget with no tax increase for 2011
DUNBAR – Property owners will not see a tax increase for 2011 after borough council adopted a final and balanced budget Monday of $291,940. Under next year’s spending plan, tax millage will remain at 1.665 mills, which amounts to $83.25 for the average property assessed at $50,000.
The borough last raised taxes in 2007 by one mill.
The budget included salary increases effective Jan. 1 of $9 per hour to $10 per hour for Jamie Speelman, full-time police officer; $18 more per week for Tammy Nedrow, borough secretary/treasurer from $600 from $618 per week; $12 per hour to $14.03 per hour for Alan Golden, full-time public works employee, and $9.25 per hour to $10 per hour for part-time public works employee Patrick Zavada.
In conjunction with Golden’s raise, council also approved a yearly contribution to his IRA at a maximum of $3,000 contingent upon a minimum of 1,440 hours worked, excluding paid holidays.
According to Jason Bartholomai, councilman and public works committee director, Golden and Zavada are currently in lay-off (on-call status) until the new year.
Additional expenses in the budget consisted of $39,185 for public works, along with $6,837 spent to date for winter maintenance and $20,474 for the police department.
As far as revenue, the borough is hoping to collect $38,550 in real estate taxes and penalties; $50,000 in earned income tax; $15,000 in delinquent earned income tax and $14,000 in license and permits.
Additionally, housing rental income is projected at $81,340, coupled with $6,000 in interest on CDs and savings.
In an unrelated matter, council agreed to have Widmer Engineering Inc. of Connellsville complete a survey that would determine the feasibility of making the temporary parking lot at the former Bollinger Building location permanent not to exceed $2,000.
Patrick Fitzgerald, council president, said the study is being conducted to determine what type of grant the borough would be eligible to apply for if it would become a permanent parking lot that would need to be paved, which is not included in the 2011 budget.
Rob Grover, councilman, added a meeting with Widmer indicated that leaving the parking lot the way it is now creates a liability issue as far as vehicles entering and exiting while it does not comply with Americans with Disabilities Act Standards.
“There’s a lot more involved than just paving,” said Fitzgerald.
Council received a letter from Bob Opst, former councilman, on the matter noting the parking lot appears to be rarely used now and should not be paved at the borough’s expense.
Turning to other business, council renewed an agreement with Fayette County for Uniform Construction Code regulations and building permits in the borough.
Council also agreed to begin holding work sessions several weeks prior to the regular meeting for discussion purposes that would be advertised at a later date.
A neighborhood watch meeting scheduled for Dec. 23 was cancelled by council in lieu of the Christmas holiday.