Several citizens spoke during Luzerne County’s 2017 budget hearing Tuesday night, urging the council to search for cuts and untapped revenue to avoid a tax hike.
The proposed $136.2 million general fund operating budget would increase real estate taxes 4 percent, which equates to $23 more annually on a property assessed at $100,000. A new $5 fee on an estimated 280,200 vehicles registered in the county and permanent elimination of a county-funded homestead tax break for primary residents also are part of the proposed package.
Hazleton resident Mark Rabo said the council should not balance the budget “on the backs of” homeowners, particularly senior citizens on fixed incomes, including his mother.
“I plead with you,” he said.
Jack Zborovian said he built a house in Duryea 10 years ago with plans to retire but can’t stop working because of taxes and other rising expenses. A 4-percent county tax increase is “not right,” he said.
Another Duryea resident, Bill Yates, said he relocated from Lackawanna County and built a home in the borough five years ago because the real estate taxes were “fairly reasonable.” Raising taxes is “easy,” he said.
“Tighten your belt,” he said.
Kingston resident Ed Gustitus said the $5 vehicle fee should be labeled as another tax and said homeowners were stung by the loss of the homestead break that saved owner-occupied residences $45 to $57 annually from 2009 to 2014.
“You giveth and you taketh away,” Gustitus said, describing it as a “shell game.”
Former county controller Walter Griffith, of Kingston Township, said the tax hike is “ridiculous” because it funds non-union pay raises granted last year that he does not believe the county “can afford.” The raises were based on an outside compensation analysis.
Bill Owens, also of Kingston Township, said he reviewed the state’s list of unclaimed property and noticed numerous postings in which the county and other local governments are owed money.
County Manager C. David Pedri said he will review the list and take action.
Wilkes-Barre resident Sam Troy said a tax hike would be a “moral abomination” and said empathy is needed as some property owners are “fighting to keep their homes and put food on the table.”
Council Vice Chairman Tim McGinley said seeking budget options is “very important” to council members, which is why they spent more than fours hours reviewing three more county division budgets Tuesday and will be meeting weekly to discuss the budget before the Dec. 15 adoption deadline.
His council colleague, Edward Brominski, said he understands the struggle as a senior citizen on a fixed income, adding his “spending power has reduced drastically.”
“There are a lot of people who are cutting back on how they’re living,” said Brominski, who is considering giving up his home phone and cable service to cover rising expenses.
Councilman Harry Haas said he and others continue lobbying state legislators for additional funding to cover state and federal mandates. Counties are forced to rely primarily on real estate taxes for revenue, said Haas, who is rounding up a list of budget-shaving options.
The county’s requirement to pay around $26 million annually through 2028 for inherited debt is the main budgetary hindrance, said Councilman Rick Williams.
“We’re paying for sins of the past,” Williams said. “I don’t think there’s anyone at this table who enjoys raising taxes.”
