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Monessen 2020 budget won’t include tax increase

By Mark Soroka for The 2 min read

MONESSEN – No tax hike is planned for city residents, after council passed a first reading of a proposed ordinance fixing the tax rate for the year of 2020.

According to council member and Acting Mayor Tony Orzechowski, council is expected to pass a $4.453 million budget on December 23. The 2020 budget includes a fixed tax rate of 43.11 mills-the same amount as the past year.

When asked how much money Monessen has left for the remainder of 2019, Orzechowski said the city has about $76,000 cash in its coffers.

“Once we meet payroll this month, we will have an estimated $15,000 to $20,000 left over,” said Orzechowski, during council’s monthly meeting.

In other business:

n Opted out of the now defunct Mon Valley Council of Governments (COG).

n Announced that the city is taking letters of interest for open seats on various boards, including the Library Board, Mon Valley Sewage Authority, Monessen Planning Committee, Monessen Redevelopment Authority, Mon Valley Refuse, Police Civil Service, Property Maintenance Authority, Vacant Property Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.

n Approved a motion to enter into a consent order for maintenance of an unnamed alley abutting a property owned by John and Helen Pokomo at 785 Crest Ave.

n Approved release of Construction Group No. 3, of the 2019 citywide Inlet Replacement Project, Phase 1, consisting of six inlets. Mornak Excavation Inc. will be paid $33,100 to complete the contract. Money will be paid out of the Line Usage Funds.

n Orzechowski noted that the city is advertising for letters of interest to fill the city controller position. Wayne Vlasic submitted a letter of resignation because he was elected as a magistrate.

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