County Commissioners Unveil 2021 Budget with No Tax Increase

LOCK HAVEN – The Clinton County Commissioners have released for public review a proposed 2021 operating budget; it amounts to $41.3 million and keeps real estate taxes unchanged in the new year.

The commissioners provided information on the budget at their voting session on Thursday. If given final approval on Dec. 17, it would mean the county real estate levy will remain at 6.2 mills, the same as this year. The previous board of commissioners last year had approved a hike from 6.0 to 6.2 mills for 2020, the first increase since 2016.

This year’s budget totaled $39.2 million. The commissioners said the hike to $41.3 million next year is basically the result of a pass-through of some $3 million in grant money towards the county’s rails-trail bridge project in Wayne Township.

Commissioner Jeff Snyder said the proposed document includes increases in pay and health benefits for county employees, contracts, human services and the county retirement fund. He said crafting a budget during a pandemic presented “some challenges” and the commissioners will be looking at further adjustments before the December final adoption “to keep any tax increases down or limited in the future.”

County financial advisor Ed Zack complimented the commissioners and chief clerk Jann Meyers on their attention to budget detail, more so than many other counties he works with.

The proposed budget was to be posted on the county website following the board meeting.