2016 Clinton County Budget Approved

Real Estate Taxes Up 11%

LOCK HAVEN — The Clinton County commissioners today approved a 2016 county budget and said goodbye to commissioner Joel Long.

A rare New Year’s Eve session saw the commissioners give unanimous approval to a $33.4 million plan first introduced on Dec. 3. Board chairman Pete Smeltz said it was little changed from the initial proposal.

All three commissioners also moved to approve a jump in the county real estate millage from 5.4 to 6.0, an 11 percent increase. Smeltz said the millage is expected to produce just over $12 million in 2016. Minority commissioner Long, who attended his last board meeting, said that raising taxes is “sometimes a necessity” and the “hardest thing we do.”

The commissioners had said earlier the tax hike, the first in several years, means the average median household will see an increase of about $75 a year; they put that annual cost at approximately $750 for a home assessed at $125,000.

Today’s meeting was an emotional farewell for Long, defeated in November by fellow Democrat Paul Conklin who was in attendance today. Long said he had worked with “super people.” He said his first four year term was not as successful as the last four years, thanks to Smeltz and Snyder. Smeltz earlier lauded Long for his help as an incumbent commissioner for his assistance when Smeltz and Snyder first came into office four years ago.

For Long his departure today marks the end of a 19 year run in public office, the first eleven on Lock Haven City Council and the last eight as a county commissioner.