Greencastle budget contains no tax hikes

November 08, 2005|by BONNIE H. BRECHBILL

GREENCASTLE, Pa. - The Greencastle Borough Council voted at its regular meeting Monday evening to approve a 2006 proposed budget of $5.6 million.

The budget includes no increase in property taxes.

The real estate tax rate is 11 mills. One mill is $34,929. Real estate taxes make up 39 percent of the borough's revenue.

Police expenditures make up 42 percent of the budget; street department, 28 percent; administration, 10 percent; buildings and employee benefits, each 3 percent; insurance and tax collection, each 2 percent; and all others, 10 percent.

The council also approved a land development plan for Orrstown Bank's proposed new facility along South Antrim Way south of Nova Drive.

A request from Timber Greencastle Properties, L.P., that the borough vacate and/or abandon portions of Findley Street and Pine Lane to accommodate the proposed CVS Pharmacy project was tabled, as was a related request from BH&D Engineering requesting permission to relocate the main sanitary sewer line through the property.

The council voted not to implement an Emergency and Municipal Services Tax at the rate of $42 per year, levied on people who work in the borough. The current rate is $10 per year.

Proceeds from the tax would go to fire, ambulance, police and road maintenance.

Council member Harold Duffey expressed concern that people would think the tax money was going to the fire and ambulance crews. "We have a volunteer fire department here, and that (perception) may cut into their donations. The tax is for people who work here. What about the people who live here, but work elsewhere?"

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