New look at old system
One of the benefits to replacing long-time board members with fresh faces is that often times the new members raise points worth considering. Such is the case with James V. Bitonti who was recently appointed to the Fayette County Housing Authority. It should be noted that Bitonti is also the mayor of Belle Vernon, and as such is aware of how much the housing authority contributes to the borough’s budget and how much the borough is on the hook for providing services. Bitonti wants to review the amount of money the housing authority pays to communities in lieu of property taxes. The amounts are considerably less than if a private developer paid taxes. And in some cases the payments are zero.
The authority explains the payments this way: It takes the total amount collected in rent, subtracts utilities, times that amount by 10 percent and then divides the balance between the municipality, school and county. But in the case of Lemon Wood Acres, Dunlap Creek Village and Outcrop, the authority claims utilities exceed rent so no money is due.
There’s something wrong with this formula. These housing projects, with high density of residents, place a burden on the government services yet the authority finagles its way out of payment.
Bitonti is right to question the minute tax contributions that the authority makes.