Renovo Council Approves 2014 Budget with 1.5 Mill Increase
by Barbara Mastriani
RENOVO – Renovo Borough Council on Monday night voted unanimously to approve a 2014 budget of $350,587.96 that includes a 1.5 mill tax increase.
The 1.5 mill increase is expected to generate $29,360.55 in new income if everyone pays their taxes.
While the final vote was unanimous, getting to the point was at times testy and personal attacks among some council members were part of the meeting.
Newly elected council member Ann Simon presented the budget; she reminded council that in 2013 the actual real estate tax income was just $127,099.82. If on the other hand everyone paid their taxes due it would bring in $195,932.74. But it was reported some people don’t pay and some only pay some of their due taxes.
Simon said that while the borough’s funds are low, if the budget is followed and ff everybody pays their taxes, the money problems could be knocked out in a year and maybe as soon as July the borough won’t be so strapped financially.
Simon prepared a 12-month budget for the borough and said she will be checking it monthly to keep council within its budget.
The budget includes $2,500 the borough had budgeted for Renovo Fire Department that is still unpaid. Council member Rhonda Balchun said in recent years council has budgeted $5,000 for Renovo Fire Department. But Simon said that presently there is just $1,000 available. After some discussion council members said the expected $2,500 from the real estate transfer tax could be added to the money for the fire department.
Balchun said she and her husband met recently with Rep. Mike Hanna when he was in Renovo to learn what monies there might be available for municipalities. She also asked council for permission to go to non-profit organizations for donations.
No action was taken on that issue.
Simon said that council will have to borrow about $10,000 before March until tax receipts come in to keep the borough operating. Tax anticipation loans are not unusual for municipalities and Renovo has had to rely on them at year beginnings in the past.
