'72 Flood Commander Reflects On A Judgment Call

Amelia Sakowski 
Jan. 25, 1996 
Amelia Regina Sakowski Of Chester Street, Ashley, Died Thursday At Her Home.

Sunday, January 28, 1996 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1B 





$500,000 loan could bring higher taxes &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Nanticoke ended 1995 drowning in red ink. It posted a $500,000 debt from
unpaid bills. Officials plan to erase the problem with a loanA Luzerne County
Court of Common Pleas judge is expected to decide soon whether the city can
obtain a $500,000 loan. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If that happens, it might mean higher property taxes this year even though
council voted in December not to raise taxes to balance this year's $2.36
million operating budget. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 City Finance Director John Hook said if the court approves the loan before
real estate taxes are mailed Feb. 15, the taxes can be adjusted to include a
higher millage rate because of the loan. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Like it has for at least two decades, county court has allowed the city to
raise its general fund tax cap from 25 mills to 30 mills. The city's tax
millage rate this year is 45.22 mills -- 30 mills for the general fund, 14.72
mills for a 10-year bond issue, and .5 mill for the library tax. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 One mill takes in about $13,000. A mill is a $1 tax on $1,000 of assessed
property value. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Annual sewer and trash fees enacted in December to help cover the cost of a
$500,000 debt last year created controversy and speculation that the fees
would be used for city services other than sewer and trash. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Richard Buttrick said he might challenge the city over the issue in court.
A state Department of Community Affairs official has said that Nanticoke may
legally use revenues from trash and sewer fees for other services. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

$500,000 Loan Could Bring Higher Taxes 
Nanticoke Ended 1995 Drowning In Red Ink. It Posted A $500,000 Debt From 
Unpaid Bills. Officials Plan To Erase The Problem With A Loan.

$500,000 Loan Could Bring Higher Taxes Nanticoke Ended 1995 Drowning In Red Ink. It Posted A $500,000 Debt From Unpaid Bills. Officials Plan To Erase The Problem With A Loan.