The Homer City Borough Council approved a tentative budget for the upcoming fiscal year, and approved road closures for next month’s Light Up Night.
The tentative budget includes a 1 mil real estate tax increase, which equates to a $13 increase for the average household. The increase will bring in an additional $9,500 for the borough. Borough Manager Rob Nymick explained why the increase is necessary:
“The two items of concern in the budget, I guess would be the best way of putting this– Council wants to increase the police protection… so we’re going to increase it 490 hours. And the second problem or issue that we could have for next year is a drastic increase in our workman’s comp, because we did have a serious work-related injury.”
The increase also accounts for the purchase of a new police vehicle. However, after USDA grant funding is approved, and with monthly payment contributions from the police force’s K9 fund to pay off the old cruiser and to offset the cost of K9 equipment, the impact on the budget will only be about $5,000. Nymick said the purchase needed to happen:
“The last thing we want, or need to say, because it’s not true, is the reason we’re raising taxes is to buy a new police car for the K9 and that’s not the case. We are buying a new police car because we need to. We were buying one regardless.”
In other news, council approved road closures for Church and East Wiley Streets for Light Up Night on December 7th. The parade will be at 6 PM. The borough is also accepting nominations for its Outstanding Citizen Award until November 21st. The award will be given in the fire hall on Light Up Night. Applications are available in the borough office.
Lastly, leaf pickup has begun. Leaves are to be bagged and set along the curb. Leaves will not be retrieved on Mondays due to garbage pickup.
