HAZLETON – Luis Perez was all smiles as he took in the scenery in front of a new headquarters for his radio station in downtown Hazleton Friday afternoon.
HAZLETON — Vianney Castro is not quite ready to claim the Democratic nomination in the mayoral race, despite holding a 17-vote lead over Bob Yevak on Wednesday.
Council members in Hazleton upheld the estimated $12.5 million spending plan that they adopted earlier this month and made assurances that the city will restore funds that were cut from the police budget.
Council upheld three ordinances that are key to shaping the 2021 budget, as the governing body cast three consecutive votes to override the mayorâs veto of a budget appropriations ordinance and ordinances that set the property tax rate and levy the mercantile tax.
The votes essentially uphold the budget that council adopted in mid-December, which increases the millage rate by 9.7%, or from 6.18 mills this year to 6.78 mills in 2021.
HAZLETON, Pa. â Hazleton City Council voted down three mayoral vetoes on Tuesday night, leaving in place a 9.7% increase in property tax for 2021.Â
Last week, Mayor Jeff Cusat vetoed the budget because of an issue with police funding. He also vetoed the ordinance setting the property tax at 6.78 mills, up from 6.18. Cusat had sought a bigger increase in his draft budget.Â
Cusat said in his veto statement that cuts in the police budget could threaten eligibility for a federal Community Oriented Policing Services grant that would pay for four more officers.  Â
Council unanimously struck down the budget and millage vetoes.Â
Council President James Perry said the police funding issue could be resolved with financial transfers, not a new budget. The city s goal is to boost the force to 46 officers from 42. Â