County, City to Finalize Budgets

Special Meetings Next Monday

by John Lipez

LOCK HAVEN—The Clinton County Commissioners are poised to approved a $31.67 million budget for 2014, a document which is expected to hold county real estate taxes at their 2013 level.

The new document was unanimously approved earlier this month and the commissioners said on Monday of this week they anticipate final approval at a special meeting set for next Monday at 9 a.m. in their Garden Building meeting room.

The document includes a 3 percent pay hike for applicable union and non-union county employees.

The commissioners earlier had approved a 4-year contract with the membership of Council 86, AFSCME. The county had held up introduction of the new budget until negotiations had been completed.

The new pact covers union members at the county correctional facility, deputy sheriffs and court-related and court-appointed employees.

The new budget is less than the 2013 document which totaled nearly $34 million; the commissioners cited costs related to the new 911 center as a factor in the higher 2013 budget.

Lock Haven city council also has a special meeting set for next Monday. City residents should find out then the amount of an anticipated tax increase for property owners.

City officials have been working to chip away at a projected deficit of some $190,000. At last report that figure had been reduced and a final number is due at next Monday’s meeting.

Council had raised real estate taxes 10 percent for the current year and 9.6 percent for 2012. Discussion this year had been a jump of 10 percent for 2014 but council members have pledged to try and reduce that number.