City of Lock Haven 2024 Proposed Budget Now Available to the Public Online; First Public Hearing Set for Monday, November 27
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN, PA — City Planner Abbey Roberts announced that the 2024 Budget Proposal document would be made available online for the public to view during Monday night’s Lock Haven City Council meeting. No comment was provided by City Manager Gregory Wilson as he was unable to attend the meeting Monday night, however, the Budget Book was published online late Tuesday afternoon.
According to the now-available City of Lock Haven Proposed Budget Book, the first public hearing on the 2024 Proposed Budget will be held at City Hall on Monday, November 27 at 7 p.m. Comments from agencies and organizations in the City will be provided at the hearing in regard to the City police department and parking, the airport fund, and the water fund. According to a statement provided by Mayor Joel Long on the agenda, the purpose of the hearing is “to afford the public an opportunity to comment and make observations on the recommended budget as reflected in Ordinances 2023-12 and 2023-13”.
The second public hearing is slated for Monday, December 4, and will discuss matters related to the fire department, UCC & Property Maintenance Enforcement, DPW Admin, streets, public property, and the sewer fund.
The Final Budget Hearing and adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-12 and 13 is set for Monday, December 11.
City Manager Greg Wilson provided a message in the 2024 Proposed Budget Book, stating in part, “[…] The draft budgets presented in this booklet are a realistic state of where the city is at. That doesn’t mean that it is how the budgets will finally be adopted, in part, because there is a significant lack of fiscal flexibility when it comes to cash compared to the budget. The city, realistically, needs more cash in the bank to meet the expenditures that it makes throughout the year, especially in funds that operate in deficiency. There needs to be cash in the bank to pay for those expenses,” he explains.
“As part of the conversation with City Council about the finalization and adoption of the
budget, it will be necessary to engage in a discussion about the need to raise real estate tax rates
to provide for more cash on hand as well as another increase in sewer rates (although less
significant than last year) to accomplish the same.”
To view the City of Lock Haven 2024 Proposed Budget Book, visit www.lockhavenpa.gov. Under the “Regular Meeting of City Council” section on the home page, click on the link titled “2024 Budget Book”.
