As if on cue, the ability to write about good news came at last night’s council meeting. It isn’t just unicorns and rainbows, as is desired by some, it’s unicorns farting rainbows for West Easton.
Councilman Paul James reported that the Preliminary Budget Projection for 2016 should result in a 2.5 mil tax reduction for West Easton residents, with a few thousand still being put into the carryover.
The hope that Mayor Gross expressed months ago, when he wanted to see the present council deliver a mil rate decrease before the new council took their seats, may have been achieved.
Mayor Gross gave kudos to Councilman James and members of the finance committee for their hard work preparing the budget proposal.
Residents voiced their displeasure this past year when a reduction didn’t occur and was expected with the savings of not having a police contract with the City of Easton.
Approximately $163,000 designated for the no longer existing police contract with Easton was used for other line items in the previous budget. In addition, the mil rate had gone up on the premise that the additional money raised would go toward West Easton creating its own Police Force. A far too expensive proposition, as it turned out.
The 2.5 mil rate reduction returns the mil rate to about the same level it was before the police contract problems.
I have also found out that the new council also has an opportunity to take a bite at the budget apple. I previously believed that the incoming council wouldn’t have a determination of the 2016 budget.
Councilman Dan DePaul informed me that because it is an even year, the budget can be reopened and looked at again by the new council, giving us an opportunity to review the budget and find additional monies. He believes lowering the mil rate further is a possibility.
Councilman Paul James cited a number of reasons for the good news. Among them, more income from the DUI Center due to an increase in beds being occupied at the facility.
The savings from not having to pay Easton for police coverage made up the bulk of the reduction.
Our total liabilities are $640,000. Our total income from all sources is $729,000.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
