SCRANTON — Local environmental concerns took center stage Monday evening as the state Department of Environmental Protection sought public input on its new environmental justice policy.
DUNMORE — Borough council unanimously approved a nearly 23% property tax increase Monday night — a move borough officials say will keep the town financially solvent while avoiding layoffs and
Dunmore Borough Council was able to pass an unbalanced 2021 budget on Monday because the borough has funds to cover its projected deficit, an official with the Pennsylvania Association of Boroughs said.
âAs long as they have the money, in essence, they really do meet the letter of the law,â said Ed Knittel, the associationâs deputy executive director.
The boroughâs 2021 operating budget projects a $374,083.45 deficit, as $13,734,683.45 in expenses are expected to eclipse $13,360,600 in revenue. The deficit comes from a decision not to impose a $75 recycling fee on the boroughâs 5,000 or so households, which would have brought in $375,000.
The borough intends to use proceeds from the 2016 sale of the Scranton Sewer Authority system to cover the deficit. The borough received about $17 million and has $9 million left.
Dunmore Borough Council voted Monday to pass an unbalanced budget for 2021, projecting a nearly $400,000 deficit.
Council voted 6-0 during a virtual meeting to pass a budget where projected expenses exceed projected revenues by $374,083.45. Dunmoreâs expenses are expected to total $13,734,683.45, with 2021 revenues only amounting to $13,360,600. Council also voted to keep property taxes at 44 mills. A mill is a $1 tax on every $1,000 of assessed property value.
Council President Michael Dempsey was absent because he contracted COVID-19 and is quarantining, Borough Manager Vito Ruggiero said at the start of the meeting. Dempsey is doing well, council Vice President Thomas J. Hallinan said.