Charleroi sees no tax increase in 2017
At the continuation Tuesday of its Nov. 10 meeting, Charleroi borough council unanimously gave first approval to an ordinance setting 2017 real estate taxes at 5.33 mills.
“This has been a rather difficult animal to work with this time,” Councilman Larry Celaschi said, referring in part to the Washington County reassessment process that replaces the 42.61-mill rate based on 25 percent of 1981 market values with a rate based on 100 percent of reassessed values.
“I am very confident that we are moving ahead in the black,” Councilman Frank Paterra said. But Celaschi isn’t as sure, even in a borough where officials don’t recall the last time taxes were raised.
“We really have to take a long look at raising taxes next year,” Celaschi said, citing rising costs, upcoming contract negotiations and possible “unforeseen circumstances” in Charleroi.
Solicitor Alan Benyak said the borough has to “be very careful to operate next year to make sure the borough doesn’t wind up in the red zone.”
“It is not pleasant,” Celaschi continued. “I am not proud to say that.”
The new tax rate will break down as follows: 3.71 mills for general purposes; 0.92 mills for street lighting; 0.37 mills for fire service; 0.25 mills for debt services; 0.06 mills for pensions; and 0.02 mills for the John K. Tener Library.
All Act 511 taxes including the Local Services Tax would be unchanged. The tax rate would provide revenue for a borough budget as yet to be resolved for the coming year.
Council President Paul Pivovarnik doubted that a tentative budget would be prepared in time for council’s agenda meeting Thursday at 6 p.m.
Council could vote on a budget Thursday or at the regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 8, but Pivovarnik suggested that a special meeting might be needed later in the month.
An unforeseen expenditure of the past year included an uncapped gas well the borough inadvertently acquired when it took over a vacant property and tore down the house.
Pivovarnik said the borough has run out of grant money and hopes it can get help through U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Everett, state Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township, and state Rep.-elect Bud Cook of Coal Center.
Meanwhile, the borough awaits a ruling from Washington County President Judge Katherine B. Emery that would allow the Mon Valley Alliance to take over the Atlas Building on McKean Avenue — and the borough to spend Community Development Block Grant funding pledged by the Redevelopment Authority of Washington County to demolish it.
The building now is owned by the Charleroi Area School District. Charleroi Area Historical Society wants to restore it and is pressing the Redevelopment Authority and Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission for support.
However, Celaschi said, the building deemed unsafe in 2014 is worse off today, calling it a public safety and environmental hazard that could collapse after the next freeze and thaw in the weather.