By Jennifer Learn-Andes

jandes@timesleader.com

At least 20 of Luzerne County’s 76 municipalities are increasing real estate taxes this year, according to a report compiled by the county treasurer’s office.

According to the report:

Hunlock Township has the highest percentage millage increase — 117.

The township’s taxes are rising from 0.65 to 1.41 mills. A mill is $1 tax on every $1,000 in assessed property.

Taxes on a $100,000 property will rise from $65 to $141 this year.

Duryea is next in line, with a 45 percent increase.

The borough’s taxes are rising from 1.1 to 1.6 mills, which means real estate taxes on a $100,000 property in the borough will increase from $110 to $160 this year.

Exeter Township ranks third, with a 35 percent increase.

The township’s millage will rise from 0.969 to 1.31 mills, which equates to an increase from $97 to $131 on a property assessed at $100,000.

Nanticoke, Edwardsville and Freeland have the highest overall millage rates among the municipalities with increases.

The old and new millage rates in these municipalities:

• Nanticoke, 4.8885- to 5.9258 mills.

• Edwardsville, 3.8111- to 3.95 mills

• Freeland, 3.5- to 3.7 mills

To put this in perspective, the municipal tax bill on a $100,000 property in Nanticoke will rise from $488.85 to $592.58 this year — a $104 increase, or 21 percent.

Nanticoke officials have said the increase was needed to continue the city’s financial recovery.

The 14 remaining municipalities, along with the old and new millage rates: Black Creek Township, 0.5473 to 0.66; Conyngham, 2.83 to 2.88; Conyngham Township, 0.877 to 1.127; Dallas Township, 0.97 to 1.25; Dorrance Township, 0.64 to 0.75; Foster Township, 0.556 to 0.6; Huntington Township, 0.48 to 0.58; Jackson Township, 1.82 to 1.92; Lehman Township, 1.45 to 1.75; Luzerne, 1.939 to 2.1829; Nescopeck, 1.485 to 1.6; Nescopeck Township, 1.28 to 1.37; Swoyersville, 1.45 to 1.55; and Penn Lake Park, 0.4 to 0.6.

The county treasurer’s office issued a disclaimer that there may be increases in other municipalities because several did not report final 2016 millage rates as requested.

Reach Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or on Twitter @TLJenLearnAndes.