CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners voted to adopt the 2011 tentative budget with a property tax reduction of 2.5 mills at a work shop meeting Tuesday.
The budget calls for $29,989,774 in total expenses and $26,698,054 in total revenue, resulting in a deficit of $3,291,720, which is to be drawn from the county’s reserve.
In addition, the budget reduces property taxes from 21 to 18.5 mills, resulting in a 12 percent savings for the average homeowner. Further, a resident who owns a home with a value of $100,000 will pay $462.50.
“It’s a very lean but balanced budget,” said Commissioner Chairman John A. Sobel. “This board feels that it’s time to consider giving money back to the taxpayers.”
“Certainly, we wish that it was more, but it’s a beginning . . . This board was willing to take the gamble. Our taxpayers deserve no less.”
According to him, it was important for the budget to include a tax reduction. He noted that the state’s unemployment rate is at 9.5 percent, and gas prices have increased within the last week. He added that taxpayers will experience an electric rate increase next year.
Commissioner Joan Robinson-McMillen believed they were being “fiscally responsible.” She said the board wanted to return money back to its people.
“Clearfield County is a rural, blue-collar county. Who better to spend taxpayers’ money than the taxpayers?” she said.
The commissioners said the budget was a collaborative effort and consisted of a lot of hard work on the part of elected county officials and department heads.
“Everyone recognized that we’re in difficult, economic times here. We’re all pleased on how it came together, and it’s nice that it falls during the holiday season,” said Commissioner Mark McCracken.
Sobel said he spent time reviewing the county’s minutes from recent years. In 2004, he said its property taxes were at 17 mills, and it was the last time they were below 18 mills.
“The taxpayers could use some nostalgia. It’s their money; they earned it,” he said.
The budget will be on display at the commissioner’s office and on the county’s Web site for the next 20 days. The commissioners are scheduled to approve the final budget at 10 a.m. Dec. 28.