The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

October 10, 2008

Council begins work on Greenville's 2009 spending plan

By Monica Pryts

GREENVILLE — Greenville council members Thursday discussed some details of the borough’s 2009 budget, starting with suggestions from the mayor.

“It should be a peaceful situation,” Mayor Richard H. Miller told council members.

This is his third year as mayor and said his worst time of year has always been the budget process, but he hopes this time around will be better than the last two.

Last year, Miller vetoed both the 2008 budget and the ordinance that allows Greenville to set higher earned income taxes because of Act 47, the state’s debt recovery plan for financially distressed communities, which Greenville adopted in 2003.

Council members voted to override both vetoes after several heated meetings where Miller criticized them for developing what he called a flawed and incomplete budget and not clearly identifying a $1 million surplus.

In 2006, Miller had to cast a tie-breaking vote to pass the budget and he wasn’t happy with several council members who didn’t give their reasons for rejecting the spending plan.

“There should seldom be a ‘no’ vote,” Miller said.

Council members need to work together and share thoughts and ideas early in the budget process because organizing Greenville’s finances is their most important action as elected officials, he said.

Miller also released a budget message last week urging council members not to lower property taxes because of the current state of the economy.

Pete Longiotti said the borough’s department heads started to draft their budgets Aug. 15 and met with council’s finance committee Sept. 11.

On Oct. 23, the committee will review a draft copy of the proposed budget; a public meeting to discuss it and receive input is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 27, he said.

There will be more budget discussion during council’s work session at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 6. At the regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 11, council will vote to advertise the proposed spending plan.

A special meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 24 to vote on adopting the budget. All meetings will be held in the borough building.

Text Only
Local News
  • GC man called suspect in Jan. 27 bank robbery

    A Grove City man charged with robbing a Zelienople bank Monday is a suspect in the Jan. 27 robbery of a Sandy Lake bank.

    February 8, 2012

  • Committee to focus on finances for future

    Sharon city leaders have money on their minds as they look to the future of the once-vibrant town struggling with a limited tax base and higher costs of doing business.

    February 8, 2012

  • Summer work turns into year-round part-time job

    A Sharpsville resident asked council members this week why the man hired as summer help is still on the payroll in the middle of winter.

    February 8, 2012

  • Police ask public to be their eyes

    Officials and residents of Farrell and Sharon discussed the good things and problems in their towns, and heard how a neighborhood that faced a similar situation fought back Tuesday at the second Taking Back Our City meeting.

    February 8, 2012

  • Labor Dept.: Franchise’s workers not paid properly

    The owners of the Brookfield Subway restaurant have been paying their employees less than minimum wage, shorting them on overtime pay and violating child labor laws for two years, a federal lawsuit alleges.

    February 7, 2012

  • Insecurity: Firm loses more local clients

    Reynolds Area School District is scrambling to find people to work security at upcoming games after finding out the Pittsburgh-area security firm they were using had some guards who were convicted felons or sex offenders.
    “That was a shock, believe me,” said school board President John Lowry.

    February 7, 2012

  • School budget predictions improve

    The upshot to planning for a worst-case scenario is it makes any change an improvement.
    Such is the case with Farrell Area School District’s finances, business manager William Dungee told school board members Monday.

    February 7, 2012

  • Chief gripe: Cramped quarters

    In Sharpsville, the long arm of the law needs room to stretch out.
    Police Chief Keith Falasco told council members Monday night that his department’s current space “is at the least inadequate,” and after off-and-on talks over the years to make improvements, he said the time has come.

    February 7, 2012

  • Pets perish in house fire

    A Sharon family’s home was heavily damaged in a Saturday night fire that killed their pets.

    February 6, 2012

  • Kelly rallies GOP faithful

    Mercer County Republicans agreed it was time for a change from the current administration at their annual Lincoln Day dinner Saturday night at Hempfield Station One Banquet Center, and Congressman Mike Kelly called not only for change but for more accountability.

    February 6, 2012