Pocono News Section

2008 Lackawanna County Budget Unveiled

2008 Lackawanna County Budget Unveiled - Monday, October 15, 2007 at 6:26PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday, Oct 15, 2007 @06:26pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- For the third straight year, there is good news for taxpayers in Lackawanna County. The two majority commissioners for Lackawanna County unveiled their tentative 2008 budget late Monday afternoon. It calls for a 7% (2.5 mill) reduction.

For the last two years, taxes have decreased by roughly 5%. That comes after a 48% increase three years ago. "In 2003, we promised to improve the quality of life in our county. Since then, we have made the hard decisions and the right decisions and the right decisions without regard to fleeting political concerns," Commissioner AJ Munchak said.

Among those decisions, selling the Montage Mountain Ski Resort, which got the property back on the tax rolls. Another main factor, bringing in the Yankees, which has brought more than $500,000 to county coffers. More than that, commissioners say they've been able to pay prior bills and improve infastructure. "We've said we're on the right track. We said as we fix the problems, we'd return money to the people of Lackawanna County. We'll continue to do so," Commissioner Bob Cordaro said.

Besides money matters, county leaders also announced plans to expand their Family Business Initiative in 2008 as well as bring a new film production studio to Benton Township.