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Challenger to seek Democratic nomination for Wilkes-Barre City Controller

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Wilkes-Barre adds new ambulance to emergency services fleet

<p>KINGSTON &#8212; The Wyoming Valley West School Board approved a preliminary 2019-20 budget with a property tax increase of 4.7 percent Wednesday, well above the state-set limit of 3.2 percent. The district plans to apply for a state exemption due to high special education costs.</p><p>Business Manager Lou Cardoni and his predecessor Joe Rodriguez, who is advising during the transition since his retirement, said the goal is to find savings that would reduce the increase, possibly to the state maximum, before a final budget is voted on. By state law, school districts must approve a final budget by June 30.</p><p>Both said that a big part of the problem is continuing declines in assessed value of property within the district, usually through successful appeals by property owners. Rodriguez noted the district lost $20 million in assessed value last year in one case, reducing the amount received in property taxes by $341,000.</p><p>Rodriguez also said the cost of special education has climbed much faster than any increase in state money to cover the expense.</p><p>The preliminary budget increases spending from about $78 million this year to $80 million next year. If the full 4.7 percent increase is in the final budget, it would raise property taxes to 17.55 mills. A mill is a $1 tax on every $1,000 of assessed value.</p><p><strong>Stormwater fee; vacation days nixed</strong></p><p>Rodriguez also said he has estimated how much a new, controversial stormwater management fee being levied on all properties in 32 municipalities will cost the district. The money is intended to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff. The district has 23 lots that will cost a total of $23,500.</p><p>The board also voted to hold school on five days previously set as student vacation days, to make up for days lost due to snowstorms and severe cold so far this year &#8212; the latest was Tuesday, when districts throughout the county canceled school with predictions of snow, sleet and freezing rain.</p><p>Classes will be held this Friday, Feb. 15, and on March 15, which had been scheduled as an in-service day for teachers. The spring break scheduled around Easter (April 21) will be curtailed as well, with school on April 18, 23, and 24.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Mark Guydish</p><p>mguydish@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Wyoming Valley West votes to hike taxes 4.7 percent, cancels five days off