Nov 21, 2019 2 min read

BELLE VERNON – Borough residents won’t be facing a tax increase this coming year.

On Tuesday, council passed a preliminary 2020 budget that includes $640,000 in revenues and $640,000 in expenses. According to Councilman Cliff Gorski, the proposed budget includes a small loan for road paving. Council members reviewed several variations of the budget and chose the option that does not include pay for the mayor and council members.

Council also decided on the 2020 tax rate for the borough. Residents will be assessed 6 mills for general purposes and 2 mills for road maintenance. The borough will advertise its budget for 30 days before voting on the final budget during a special meeting on Dec. 18 at 7 a.m.

Also, during the meeting, council discussed implementing a sliding fine scale for violations of the property maintenance ordinance. Solicitor Krisha A. DiMascio will present the fine scale for adoption at council’s December meeting. Fines will cover violations for issues such as high grass, water runoff and structural defects.

In other business, council:

• Adopted an ordinance establishing hours for all borough recreational facilities and areas.

Observed a moment of silence for Ed Martin, a former councilman and board member of the Mid-Mon Valley Transit Authority, who died recently. Council is accepting letters of interest to fill that open seat on the board.

• Announced that Light Up Night will take place at 6 p.m. Nov. 29 in the basement of the municipal building.