GREENCASTLE, Pa. - Borough taxpayers in Greencastle can breathe easier following a vote by the Borough Council Monday not to raise taxes to pay for its $836,000 budget for next year.
The council set the same 10.6 mill rate as the current year. One mill generates $32,119, Borough Manager Ken Myers said.
The police department budget went up from $257,000 this year to $342,000 for 2004. That budget represents about 41 percent of the total budget. Last year, it was 35 percent.
About 75 percent of the revenues to support the general fund budget come from property and earned income taxes. Included is 41 percent in property taxes and 34 percent in earned income taxes.
The rest of the income comes from such sources as fines, license and permit fees, real estate transfer taxes and interest on investments.
The value of assessed property in the borough has increased by about $22 million in the last decade, according to council figures.
In 1994 real estate in the borough was assessed at $10.3 million. Next year the figure will be $32.1 million, according to a Borough Council report.
The council also read a letter from William Hall, president of Rescue Hose Co., asking the members to reconsider their decision last month denying a request to pay $9,000 for a system to synchronize the borough's traffic lights for the benefit of emergency vehicles.
Dave Lutz, EMS chief for Rescue Hose, said the system would turn the lights green in lanes used by emergency vehicles so motorists ahead could safely pass through the intersection thereby clearing the way for firetrucks and ambulances.
The Antrim Township Supervisors voted to pay the cost of installing the system on its intersections plus those in the borough, Lutz said.
The council Monday agreed to share in the cost of maintaining the system.
