December 13, 2007

Sizeable tax rise seems inevitable

By DIANA FISHLOCK of The Patriot-News

Lower Paxton Twp. supervisors likely will raise real estate taxes next week for the first time since 1990.

The 2008-09 budget won't be finalized until a scheduled vote Dec. 18, but the supervisors anticipate the $20 million budget will require a 20 percent tax increase.

One supervisor argued Tuesday night, during one of the numerous meetings that have dealt with the topic, that it would be irresponsible not to raise taxes even more in light of an anticipated large shortfall by 2011.

The township's been hit with a triple whammy of roughly $600,000, officials said.
Last summer, state officials changed the $52 Emergency and Municipal Services Tax to a Local Services Tax.

Workers who earn less than $12,000 in any municipality are now exempt, and Lower Paxton could lose $300,000, township manager George Wolfe said.

Then the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area Inc. and South Central EMS roughly tripled what they want the township to pay for their services next year.

The Humane Society's bill increased from $11,500 in 2007 to $32,964 for next year. South Central EMS requested an increase from $112,000 to $325,615.

The supervisors also plan to spend $60,000 for a Level of Service Award program for volunteer firefighters.

During Tuesday night's meeting, the supervisors cut proposals for a $25,000 dog park at the former municipal landfill in the Hodges Heights neighborhood and $5,000 in improvements to an existing park at that site.

They also removed $10,000 for Koons Pool, which officials have said is past its prime and has sparse membership.

"It makes you frugal. It makes you analyze everything you're spending, and that's a good thing in government," Supervisor William Hornung said.

Hornung urged the other supervisors to approve a larger tax increase now to avoid a dramatic rise in taxes in 2011.

The township has reduced real estate taxes three times since 1990, officials said.

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