The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

December 28, 2007

Mercer County taxes staying the same in 2008

By Matt Snyder

MERCER COUNTY — Mercer County commissioners unanimously approved a 2008 county budget Thursday.

Taxes won’t be going up to support the $69.6 million spending plan.

Commissioner Olivia M. Lazor said she had a few concerns about the budget and hoped it would be re-opened by the new board in January.

Lazor said the amount spent on general government was small for the size of the county’s operation, especially when compared to what is spent on the courts and public safety.

Commissioners only have direct control over the $26.6 million general fund budget. The $43 million remaining in the overall budget consists of pass-through money from the state and federal governments earmarked for specific purposes such as health care, human services, bridges and others.

While the new budget will levy the same 20.75 mill property tax as last year, there is a $1.2 million shortfall that will be covered by the accumulated $5.7 million reserve.

John Logan, fiscal administrator, said in the past that the shortfall is no indicator of future tax increases. He added that an $895,000 shortfall last year turned into a wash because of conservative budgeting.

One major cost increase came from mandated human services like Children and Youth Services, said Logan in his report.

One mill of county tax raises over $1 million, said Logan. A mill is $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s assessed 1970 market value. At 20.75 mills, a home assessed at $15,000 carries a county tax bill of $311.

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