City administration proposes $28.3M budget with no tax increases

Williamsport has a proposed $28.3 million budget for 2022 that calls for no increase in property or other taxes.

City Council and Mayor Derek Slaughter held a budget work session Monday leading off with income estimates.

Joseph Pawlak, city interim finance director, provided income estimates.

The tax rate was proposed by Slaughter to be 16.22 mills or $1,622 per household valued at $100,000.

Slightly more than $14 million is generated by real estate taxes. Total assessed value of real estate is $943.4 million.

A mill of tax is $865,123.

Other income is $2.1 million in business privilege tax; $1.1 million prior year real estate; $975,000 in local services tax, which is a tax on those working in the city and was under by $75,000.

Still other income is $830,000 license and permits, including $300,00 in building permits, up by $50,000; $617,000 department earnings through such items as rental inspections; $319,000 interest and penalties; $315,000 real estate transfer; $250,00 in natural gas impact fee; $200,000 health cooperative; and $122,500 fines and fees.

Income also comes from $1.2 million in state grants and $582,543 in other grants; $960,000 rescue fund.

The city anticipates receiving $991,443 in liquid fuels funding for street projects and has $234,075 for operating City Hall which remains closed and condemned due to water damage. Another $15,000 is in unemployment compensation.

Payments in lieu of taxes of $471,761 come from non-profits such as Lycoming College, Pennsylvania College of Technology and UPMC Williamsport.

The city has a $2.9 million debt service fund.

Total in revenue is close to $27.5 million.

Councilman Vincent Pulizzi asked if it were possible to negotiate with non-profits on payments in lieu of taxes.

Councilwomen Bonnie Katz and Liz Miele asked if the administration would monitor rising health costs.

Scott Livermore, the newly hired public works director, hired in October, was lauded for quickly assembling a department budget. He oversees a 26-employee department that maintains streets and parks and flood control.

A four-year contract renewal affecting the department with the union and employees and officers is expected to be voted on in days.

Leaf collection will continue through the late fall as the department prepares for winter snow and ice plowing.

Pawlak asked for a delay on $2.9 million in capital projects as he reviewed last minute items.

A second budget work session will be held at 7 p.m. today. It focuses on public safety departments that make up 80% of the overall cost of the general fund budget through police and fire department operation and salaries and pensions.

Council has a regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday.