No tax increase in county budget
Published: December 30, 2009
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share thisCounty residents won’t feel an extra pinch in their wallets from the county’s portion of their tax bills next year.
The commissioners approved, at the Dec. 23 meeting, the 2010 budget of $19.3 million that holds the line on county spending.
Millage was set at 11.5 mills for general real estate for the general fund; 1.01 mills for debt service; and .33 mills for the library fund.
Total millage for real estate is 12.84.
The commissioners spent the bulk of the 10-minute meeting making appointments and approving service contracts.
Bill Stewart, of Choconut Township, was appointed to the Growing Greener II advisory committee for a two year term, beginning Jan. 1, 2010 and ending Dec. 31, 2011.
In 2006, the county was awarded $1 million in Growing Greener II funds from the state; and about $20,000 remains in the fund, according to Commissioner Chair MaryAnn Warren.
Warren said about $11,000 of the money would be used to fund a solar energy project at the county jail and Trehab would be involved in the project.
The county spent the bulk of the money on flood repair and prevention, such as stream bank stabilization projects, said Bobbi Jo Turner, a member of the advisory committee.
Turner, Brian Driscoll and Jim Garner were reappointed to the committee.
The commissioners also authorized the signing of a Community Development Block Grant contract, in the amount of $288,102.
The grant is administered through the Susquehanna County Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Although the SCHRA administers the grants, the county has final approval of which projects are funded.
The grant will fund handicap bathroom installation and upgrades in several municipal buildings; including Hop Bottom borough and Middletown and Gibson townships.
Other CDBG projects include the demolition of a vacant home in Thompson Borough; storm sewer work on Dundaff St., Forest City; and $25,000 toward the demolition of a building in Susquehanna.
Joseph Matis was reappointed as a Housing Authority Director for a five year term.
A maintenance agreement with Penn Power Systems was signed in the amount of $1,655 for inspection/preventative maintenance of emergency generators at the jailhouse and courthouse, fairgrounds, lower office building, Pig Pen Alley (in Lanesboro) and the Friendsville Tower.
The commissioners also signed a maintenance agreement with Guyette Communications for repairs and routine maintenance of telephones at the recycling center for an annual fee of $144.
The county will post the sale of a 1988 Chevrolet Astro Van, with 275,000 miles on it, for at least 10 days. Bids should be submitted to the chief clerk’s office. Vehicle specs are also available at the clerk’s office.
A service agreement between Children and Youth and VisionQuest Standing Timbers Academy, Gouldsboro, was approved for shelter and short term residential services.
The county also entered into a contract with Binghamton, N.Y., engineering firm McFarland Johnson for $8,900.
The company will submit reports evaluating different heating and air conditioning systems and provide a recommendation for improvements to the courthouse system.
The county was recently awarded $100,000 in Recovery Act money (economic stimulus federal funds) to upgrade the system in the courthouse, annex and Warner Building.
The commissioners also acknowledged the hiring of Kelly Feduchak, of Kingsley, by District Judge Suzanne Brainard to the open clerk/typist position in the Clifford magistrate’s office, effective Dec. 14.
