Waynesburg adopts budget
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WAYNESBURG – Waynesburg Borough Council adopted the borough’s 2013 budget Monday, holding the line on property taxes next year.
Under the $1,450,000 budget, property taxes in the borough will remain at 9 mills.
Borough manager Bruce Wermlinger said the budget is fairly similar to this year’s budget in regard to expenditures. On the revenue side, the budget is slightly higher primarily as the result of the Marcellus Shale impact fee money.
The borough received $146,579 in Act 13 Marcellus Shale drilling impact fees for 2012. It is expected to receive another payment in July, Wermlinger said.
The general fund lists $608,500 for public safety, which includes police; $621,000 for miscellaneous expenses, including hospitalization, retirement and insurance; $137,400 for general government; $60,000 for public works; and $23,100 for culture and recreation.
The sewage fund budget is set at $744,000, which includes salaries for all public works employees, and the highway aid fund budget is set at $89,000.
General fund revenue includes $555,000 from real estate taxes; $475,000 from Act 511 taxes; $34,350 from leases and permits; $72,700 from fines and forfeits; and $317,950 from miscellaneous revenue.
In other business, council appointed Darwin Fitch, a former councilman and mayor, to fill the unexpired term on council of Pam Carroll, who resigned after moving from the borough.
Fitch, who will represent Ward III, served about 12 years on council and about four years as mayor. He also worked part time for the borough street department until last December.
Three others had expressed interest in the position: Dan Haught, whose brother Pat Haught is on council; former councilwoman Donna Russo; and Linda Butcher. Fitch will serve until the end of 2013.
Council voted to grant an unpaid leave of absence to patrolman Brian Tennant from Feb. 1 to May 27. Tennant plans to run for election for Greene County sheriff in the spring primary.
Police Chief Tim Hawfield said Tennant will pay for his insurance coverage and will continue to care for the police dog. Tennant will be available with the dog for emergencies, he said.
Hawfield also said the borough should be able to cover for Tennant during his leave with part-time officers.
Council voted to give $100 gift cards to all 21 borough employees for a Christmas bonus, as it has done in the past.