By Rick Hiduk
(As published in the Jan. 4 edition of the Rocket-Courier)
The Wyoming County Commissioners maintain that a tax increase was unavoidable to meet higher costs faced by the county in the coming year. Approved at their Dec. 26 meeting, the 2018 budget includes an approximate $250,000 increase in health insurance for employees, higher prison costs and raises resulting from a pair of union contracts. The commissioners expect that the $16,032,831 total can be met with a one and a half mil tax increase that is expected to net an additional $513,000.
At their Dec. 12 meeting, the commissioners had expressed hope that they could avoid the tax increase. “We did everything we could,” chairman Tom Henry related. “We were all discouraged.”
“It’s been a tough year,” commissioner Ron Williams added.
Chief clerk Bill Gaylord noted that the assessed values of properties in the county has remained stagnant, therefor capping a major source of income. The commissioners remain optimistic, however, that overhauls in energy efficiency at the courthouse will continue to show returns.
They also hinted at an agreement in the works with a nearby county that could help mitigate the enormous expense that Wyoming County has borne in previous years due to an overcrowded prison. One alternative being discussed is housing all female prisoners at another facility at a lower rate than the standard per day per inmate outsourcing fare.
Henry disclosed after the meeting that officials in Lackawanna County approached Wyoming County with a proposal, which got the commissioners thinking about their options. Before bringing a plan to the Prison Board, he would like to assess similar possibilities with Susquehanna or Wayne counties. Luzerne County also has space available, he added.
“What we’re trying to do ultimately is save the county money,” Henry stated. He reported during the public meeting that he visited the Wyoming County Prison on Christmas Day, and there was nobody boarded out.
Delinquent Tax Rate Increased
Those who fail to pay their county taxes on time will face a slightly higher rate in the coming year. The Tax Claim Fee will increase from $20 to $30, effective Jan. 1. According to Gaylord, the rate has been the same for many years, and other counties charge more.
Henry noted that the increase will not affect those who establish and maintain a payment plan with the county.
Tax Anticipatory Note Approved
Although slightly higher than last year, Peoples Security Bank once again offered the lowest interest rate to the county for the tax anticipatory note (TAN). This year, $1.9 million will be borrowed to offset county expenses until anticipated revenue is realized. The interest rate on the TAN, which was unanimously approved by the board, increased from .88 to 1.2 percent.