CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners voted, 3-0, to adopt its preliminary 2014 budget without any property tax increase at yesterday’s regular meeting.
The county’s property taxes will remain at 18.5 mills, reported Commissioner Joan Robinson-McMillen, chair. She added the budget was balanced and anticipated general fund revenues and expenditures in the amount of $21,151,405.
“We believe Clearfield County residents have already been taxed until they can be taxed no more,” she said. “We thank every department head, as we’ve asked them to hold the line but to continue to provide good services.”
Robinson-McMillen said the county’s major expenses included Children & Youth Services at $6,639,144; the 911 Fund at $1,951,290; Domestic Relations at $1,430,784 and the CDBG at $1,306,109.
Commissioner Mark B. McCracken pointed out that the county’s health premiums had decreased by 1.3 percent, and its budgeted revenues/expenditures had only increased by approximately $49,000 over the current-year’s budget. McCracken also pointed out the county has a very low debt service of $471,877, which is for the energy program that was implemented at the 911 Center and Clearfield County Jail and for the Clearfield County Administrative Offices.
Next year, McCracken said the county plans to put a new roof on the 911 Center and to repair the windows and trim at the Clearfield County Courthouse. Robinson-McMillen said the county will make improvements to the walkway between the courthouse and its annex building.
Also, she said the county has other projects inside the courthouse that will “refresh” it. Robinson-McMillen said Clearfield Borough and the Clearfield Revitalization Corp. (CRC) have taken measures to make the downtown attractive, and the commissioners have the same due diligence with the courthouse being a focal point.
The commissioners must leave the budget on display for 20 days before finalizing it next month.