Housing Authority Gives Taxing Bodies $99,000

LOCK HAVEN — Four Clinton County taxing bodies will share in the biggest ever payment in lieu of taxes from the Clinton County Housing Authority. A check presentation ceremony was held Tuesday in the authority offices to recognize the authority’s payment of $99,032 to be divided among the county, the Keystone Central School District, the borough of Renovo and the city of Lock Haven.

Housing Authority executive director Jeff Rich called the presentation “something we give back to the community.” He explained the money provided annually to the municipalities is in lieu of taxes for the tax-free housing and has been since the authority’s establishment in 1962.

The money is based on 2013 figures. Rich said recent installation of energy-saving devices resulted in reduced energy costs and as a result the substantial increase in money returned to the four taxing bodies; the amount from 2012 had been $79,000.

The amounts provided are based on the millage levied by each of the taxing bodies. Payments are:

Keystone Central School District, $52,485.62

Clinton County, $24,262.17

Lock Haven, $18,193.34

Renovo $4,091.10

Total $99,032.23

The dollars accorded the taxing bodies are determined through a formula established by the federal Housing and Urban Development department.