"...it's not to make their taxes as low as possible" UPDATED

As you all know, the Commissioners passed a $29.84 million operating budget on Tuesday. In the Trib article, $29.84M budget passes*, Matt Kluck told the Trib that:

"...he opposed the budget because of the increase in tax revenues, given that the municipality had raised property tax rates last year and instituted a stormwater fee, and because the budget raised personnel costs with raises and new hires."

In the PG's Calculations to come Dave Brumfield was quoted as saying:

"We have a duty to residents, and it's not to make their taxes as low as possible...It's to make Mt. Lebanon the best community it can be."

Don't miss Bill Matthew's quote.

"We have to shut the spigot off," he told commissioners. "If that means we reduce the number of services, then so be it."

Kelly Fraasch posted Budget...and what I have learned. on her blog. Kelly learned five lessons from this year's budget process.  Having a Finance Advisory Board and a list of options to consider for deduction from the budget in addition to an add listing are just two of the lessons listed.

Kristen Linfante was silent, even though she got her deer survey ($12,000) and an additional $1,000 for Outreach added to the budget. Here is what is on her blog. In my own words...Mt. Lebanon, my home.... She mentions several times that she is a musician.

John Bendel had no comment.

*Article not available online

Update December 16, 2012 2:05 PM Kristen Linfante posted 2013 Budget on her blog. (and you say you don't read this blog, Kristen.) When she wrote, "As many of you know," I thought she was going to tell us that she was a musician; instead it was about deer. She also wrote:

I was pleased to successfully rally the support of both Commissioner Bendel and Commissioner Brumfield to get a deer survey included in next year's budget.

What Kristen fails to admit is that Kelly Fraasch also approved the budget, therefore supporting a deer survey. What Kristen may not know is that Kelly had reached out to residents on both sides of the deer issue. She spent countless hours writing emails, making phone calls, and meeting with constituents from all wards trying to come up with some sort of compromise on this controversial topic. Has Kristen done that? After all, she collaborates, cooperates and communicates. Sure she does.

Breaking news! Don't approve tonight's budget!

Yesterday afternoon, Judge Wettick amended the March 20, 2012 court order at 1:30 PM,  extending the deadline for budgets to be approved by all taxing bodies from December 31, 2012 to January 31, 2013. Amended Court Order

Some neighboring communities have chosen to approve their budgets next month, instead of this week.  This is good news for our commissioners, since they would have been forced to meet December 24, 2012, if there were any questions on tonight's budget.

Update December 11, 2012 PM 2:15 PM The County just uploaded the amended court order. An article ran in the Trib this morning quoting our manager, Steve Feller. http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/3110279-74/millage-appeals-county#axzz2EiCORF6G

Commission Chambers - A Happening Place On Tuesday UPDATED

Looking at the agenda set for Tuesday's Commission meeting, I think it is going to be a late night.

The final hearing for the Commission revisions to the manager’s recommended budget is first on the list. The link to Bill No. 17-12 seems to be password protected, but the amended budget appears on pages two and three of the agenda. How much revenue is estimated to be generated from signs? Where is it going?

The tax rate is listed. Will someone explain to me where the 5% increase is indicated?

The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for 2013-2017 will be adopted. It can be found here.

The  2013 Comprehensive Fee Schedule will be approved. Notice no fees for fields.

The Compensation for employees for 2013 will be set.  The Ordinance is here. Pretty tricky how it is listed. It isn't clear that it is a 3% raise across the board.

Update December 8, 2012 9:40 AM Bill Matthews was kind enough to send the page right out of the budget reflecting the 4.8% tax increase. MTL 2013 Budget Revenues Yep, it is right there in black and white.

Amendments to the Municipal Budget

From lebomag.com:
http://lebomag.com/8604/proposed-amendments-to-recommended-budget/


After a month of budget hearings and discussions, commissioners formulated a list of amendments in the form of additions and subtractions to the 2013 Manager’s Recommended Budget. The final public hearing on the budget will be 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 11 in commission chambers. The budget vote will immediately follow.

Here are some highlights:

Changes to revenue include:

* Reduce real estate tax to meet the windfall cap (required under law during a reassessment year) — $60,000 decrease. The exact certified values of real estate within municipal borders for the 2013 tax year are not known as a result of the ongoing reassessment of properties in Allegheny County. The millage rate is currently 5.43 mills but this rate will be reduced by the commission after receipt of the final 2013 values.

* Addition of revenues from alternate sources, such as the Veteran’s Memorial fund and the Plein Air event — $21,360 increase

* Revenue from tennis court lighting: $6,000

Changes to expenditures include:

* Reduction in anticipated cost of health insurance: $53,700 decrease

* Fee for participation in the new regional earned income tax collection district: $4,790

* Increase in assessment from Medical Rescue Team South Authority: $16,210

* Addition of a development consultant to procure grants and outside funding: $35,000

* Reduction in cost of new management assistant position by waiting until April to fill: $22,000 decrease

* Purchase of artwork from the Plein Air festival to place in the Municipal Building: $1,000 (funded by contributions, as noted above); additional pole decorations for Beverly Road: $3,770 (with 50 percent funding by contributions).

* Add irrigation system to Veteran’s Memorial: $18,480 (funded by contributions)

* Debt service reduction: $62,030 decrease

* Add deer survey: $12,000

* Add streaming and indexing of public meetings: $13,100

* Increase to Outreach Teen & Family Services subsidy: $1,000

* Hire consultant to appeal under-assessed properties: $25,000

* Reduce swimming pool maintenance since pool items are covered in recent bond issue: $7,500 reduction.

The budget amendments also include a shifting of a position in the finance office to cover collections.

There are still several unknowns in the budget. The municipality is waiting to hear a final total for payment to the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority. Additionally, the commission will need to approve any budget carryovers for any items that were budgeted for 2012 but not yet completed.