By Tricia Pursell
SELINSGROVE — SELINSGROVE — The average homeowner in the borough of Selinsgrove will pay approximately $18 more in residential real estate taxes next year.
The average is based on a single-family residential property with a current-day market value of approximately $102,240.
The Selinsgrove Borough Council on Wednesday adopted the 2010 final budget, a 7.1 percent increase from 2009.
The increase raises the current 14-mill rate to 15 mills, which should result in an additional $35,000 revenue for the borough in 2010.
Real estate taxes were increased by 1.55 mills in 2009.
Councilman Erik Viker was the only member to vote against the budget adoption. Earlier this month, he expressed concerns about raising taxes and said he believed less money should be spent on nonprofit entities, such as the library and pool.
“We love to help you,” he said, “but we got to first help our roads, police protection and our fire service.”
The General Fund spending plan will be $103,516 — 8.17 percent higher than the 2009 spending plan of $1,267,451.
The greatest increase will be seen in the Borough Street and Alley Maintenance budget — nearly $80,000 more than in 2009. The increase is in response to Public Facilities and Services Committee recommendations that the current capital improvement plan is not funding infrastructure improvements quickly enough to maintain them.
The Major Equipment Purchase/Replacement budget for the Municipal Building will receive an increase of nearly $40,000 for repairs to the roof, windows and entrance doors. A renovation project for the building will not be possible next year, as had been planned.
Funds for snow and ice removal in the borough have been raised by $15,000 for 2010, and the budget additionally anticipates a 30 percent increase in electric rates, expected to begin Jan. 1. Nonuniformed and uniformed employees will receive a 2 percent annual wage increase.
Medical insurance premiums for borough employees are expected to decrease by 2.8 percent. No increase in rates or revenues is expected for the 2010 Water Fund Budget, and sewer rates will remain at $24 for the first 3,000 gallons per quarter, and $8 per thousand gallons over 3,000. The 2010 Sewer Fund Budget expects a 1.35 percent increase in sewerage treatment charges assessed to the borough by the Eastern Snyder County Regional Authority, in anticipation of future treatment plant upgrades.
Borough Treasurer Sharon Badman said she is expecting the borough to end the year with $82,000 in the general fund.
Resolutions thanking three of the council members for their years of service were also read during the meeting. The meeting was the last for council members Dianne Mengel, who served for 12 years, Marlin Inch, 9 years, and Joe Herb, four years.
