web1_hoffman2-1-.jpg

WVC wrestling season preview capsules

web1_Courthouse.jpg

Luzerne County Council approves 4 percent tax hike in 2017

BUTLER TWP. &#8212; The board of supervisors acted unanimously Tuesday night to approve a 2017 general fund budget of $3,357,475 that maintains real estate tax rates at 2016 levels.Actually, Brian Kisenwhether, chairman of the three-person board, pointed out: &#8220;Taxes haven&#8217;t change for several years. We have been able to provide services while spending tax money wisely.&#8221;The real estate tax is expected to yield $880,186, of which $755,964 is earmarked for the general fund. The other $124,222 is slated for fire protection services.The township will start the year with a cash-on-hand balance of $1,216,738, Kisenwhether said.Besides real estate revenues, the township imposes a one-half of 1 percent earned income tax. Next year, it is anticipated to yield $1.2 million, and a local services tax will provide another $95,000.Maryanne Petrilla, township manager, said that the supervisors have realized a $9,000 savings in insurance premiums by contracting with Brown and Brown Insurance. Petrilla said total premium fees will be $31,258.The supervisors also took steps to advance the construction of a new municipal building by awarding a contract, at a cost of not more than $5,540, to Midlantic Engineering to conduct geotechnical studies &#8212; test borings of the soil &#8212; at lot 11 of the CAN DO Corporate Center, the project site.The township&#8217;s recreation fund received $50,000 from the Valley Regional Girls&#8217; Softball League. Rich Serra, representing the league, made the check presentation to Petrilla, requesting at the same time that the league have a priority with regard to utilization of the softball fields. The money represents five years of fundraising by the league via tournaments and cash obtained at a concession stand, Serra said.The supervisors also acted to:&#8226; Adopt an ordinance stipulating a 25 mph speed zone on St. Johns Road.&#8226; Schedule a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Feb. 14 for public comment on a request by Lehigh Valley Health Systems to create an Institutional Zone designation for land on Butler Mountain. The matter stems from Lehigh&#8217;s proposal to develop a new community health center on the site.&#8226; Adopt a resolution to seek a local share grant &#8211; gambling funds &#8211; of $300,000 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority.&#8226;Adopt a resolution changing a zoning designation on certain properties from Rural Conservation to Urban Residential.<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By Tom HuntingtonFor Times Leader</bylineMeta></div>

Butler Township adopts budget that holds line on property taxes