Pocono News Section

Lackawanna County Budget Adopted Without Tax Cut

Lackawanna County Budget Adopted Without Tax Cut - Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 4:41PM EST

Reported by: David DeCosmo
Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 @04:41pm EST

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- Lackawanna County residents who expected a tax cut this year are out of luck. The county officially adopted its 2008 budget Wednesday without the reduction proposed by the previous board of commissioners.

Just a day before the deadline, Lackawanna County's Board of Commissioners adopted their 2008 budget by a vote of two to one. The loan no vote came from minority commissioner A.J. Munchack who favored a budget proposal that had included a slight tax reduction.

"I honestly believe that we should have had a tax decrease. If they wanted to tweak it from the 6.2% to whatever, that's one thing. But that's why I voted against it" Commissioner Munchak explained.

Munchak's Democratic colleagues insisted that financial problems facing the county both this year and next made the concept of a tax cut unrealistic.

One of the reasons the majority Commissioners said they can't cut taxes is because of unknown expenses like expected cost overruns for renovation work at the County Courthouse. But the court house isn't the only building in need of work. Commissioner Mike Washo said his office in the administration building has a leaky roof.

"There were a number of efforts at patching the roof over at least the last 4 years I'm told. Quite possibly it may be a little longer than that. Additionally we have two elevators, one of which is down and the second of which is not performing at 100%" declared Commissioner Washo.

Washo and his colleague Corey O’Brien said the county will be facing some major unfunded expenses this year. That then brings up the question of finances for next year's budget."

Commissioner O'Brien continued "We're going to look to reduce the size of government. To make it more efficient and streamline the government."

With several departments requesting more help the budget just adopted may still have to be adjusted in the months ahead.