TodayNo tax hike for Newburg residents in 2009
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Article RatingNewburg Borough Council approved its $64,850 preliminary budget Monday without adding a tax hike.
Last year, council raised the property tax from 0.121 to 1 mil — from $12.10 to $100 per $100,000 of assessed value.
Vice President Randy Taylor noted that the borough only has a few businesses, so the occupational tax will also remain at $10 per person and will not be replaced by a $52 emergency services tax, as it has in other municipalities.
Council expects about $1,000 less in income from its real estate transfer tax and also less money coming in from its earned income tax because fewer homes are being sold and unemployment rates are rising.
Tipping fees from the Cumberland County Landfill in Hopewell Township, which account for about $30,000 of annual income for the borough, are expected to stay the same.
This money is the largest part of Newburg’s income and was established as a good neighbor policy between the borough and the landfill three years ago. Mayor Susan Stump urged council to find time to get the 10-year agreement extended.
Unexpected expenses
Council had a few unexpected expenses this year when it had to put spouting on the borough building, install a sump pump and fix its furnace. Officials said these expenses will be separated from the category of “office supplies” and filed under “building maintenance” in the future. Councilwoman Lisa Cline noted the amount of money budgeted is the same — it is just divided more accurately.
With many street projects still in need of completion, council opted to keep that category of “streets and gutters” at $11,000 to repair the various curbs, culverts and bridges within the borough.
Solicitor William Thompson suggested council separate its electric bills by putting the borough building’s electric bill under “office supplies” and reserve the “street lighting” category for solely that bill. Council agreed.
Budget review
Councilman James Crum suggested having a formal review of the budget either every quarter or at least at the six-month mark. At that time, council could move money from one fund to another if necessary.
The budget, which must be advertised, will be made available for viewing at the post office, the borough’s bulletin board and on the door of the borough office. It is slated to be voted on at the Dec. 1 meeting.
Secretary-Treasurer Rae Ann Sprecher-Frey also got a pay increase Monday night. Formerly making $3,500, she will now make close to $5,000 a year.
Neither the mayor nor members of borough council receive a salary. Stump said Sprecher-Frey provides a lot of services to the borough and puts in many hours council doesn’t even know about.
“Basically she is the borough manager, since we don’t have one. Quite frankly, I think this pay is an insult to her,” Stump said of Sprecher-Frey’s former rate of $3,500.
“I was definitely surprised (by the increase), but I enjoy the work that I do,” Sprecher-Frey said.
Vacancy
Cindi Roper will be stepping down from the Newburg-Hopewell Joint Sewer Authority, leaving a vacant seat. Sprecher-Frey’s husband, Mike, expressed interest in filling the vacancy Monday night, though he was not officially sworn in.
