Borough Council delayed adoption of municipal budget and is expected to introduce amendment
By: Vic Monaco
ROOSEVELT Borough Council delayed the adoption of its municipal budget Monday and is now expected to introduce an amendment to the budget on June 5.
If all goes well, the council would hold its public hearing on June 12.
The original proposed general appropriations budget of $731,745 was introduced April 10 and would carry a tax rate hike of about 7 cents, from about 70 cents per $100 of assessed property value to about 77 cents.
However, the budget is being amended to address engineering expenses and senior citizens programs, according to Councilman Michael Hamilton and Borough Clerk Krystyna Oleknik.
Ms. Oleknik said more money is needed for transportation of seniors but the increase might be accomplished by reallocating funds rather than increasing the total budget amount.
Mr. Hamilton, the council’s Finance Committee chairman, said the proposed tax rate increase would be the first since 2002 and is necessary to finance emergency services.
In addition to the general appropriations budget, Borough Council is expected to act on a water and sewer budget of $584,756, down from $621,500 last year, according to Ms. Oleknik.