Millage increases are going to be seen in a few townships around the county as the 2013 budgets are finalized. Eldred Township, the City of Warren, Youngsville Borough, and Watson Township are all reporting increases, according to township supervisors and borough and city councils.
Eldred Township is increasing its real estate tax rate by 1 mill in an attempt to account for losses in state liquid fuels funding and an increase in the general cost of living, reports Secretary/Treasurer Diana Maille. This is the first time in 11 years that there has been any sort of millage increase in the township.
As previously reported, the Vity of Warren is going ahead with its proposed 3-mill increase in real estate taxes.
Youngsville Borough has a proposed a 3-mill increase on the table which will be put to vote on Dec. 28 at 4:30 p.m. According to Secretary Lisa Hagberg, the increase is for general purposes and to help increase the general fund.
Watson Township supervisors have also adopted a 2013 budget that will reflect a 3-mill increase. This increase includes a 2-mill fire tax and a 1-mill real estate tax, bringing the real estate millage to 2.5. Secretary/Treasurer Sandra Kick reports that this increase is due to a great decrease in revenue from the U.S. Forest Service since 2008. The new increases will help the township to maintain itself and help fund its fire service.
Townships and Boroughs reporting no increases are: Conewango Township, Deerfield Township, Farmington Township, Glade Township, Mead Township, Pittsfield Township, Sheffield Township, Pleasant Township, Sugar Grove Borough, and Sugar Grove Township
Mead Township Chairman Al Fox added, "Taxes are going to stay the same. If we can hold our budget, we'll try to keep it at that. We do not charge real estate tax for the Mead budget."
Representatives of Bear Lake, Brokenstraw, Cherry Grove, Clarendon, Columbus, Elk, Freehold, Limestone, Pine Grove, Southwest, Tidioute and Triumph were unable to be reached at the time.