CLEARFIELD – Yesterday, the Clearfield County Commissioners voted, 3-0, to adopt its 2014 budget without any property tax increase.
The county’s property taxes will remain at 18.5 mills, reported Commissioner Joan Robinson-McMillen, chair. The millage rate has been 18.5 for the past four years when the commissioners lowered property taxes by 2.5 mills, added Commissioner Mark B. McCracken.
Robinson-McMillen indicated that the budget was balanced with general fund revenues and expenditures in the amount of $21,151,405. She thanked Commissioner John A. Sobel and McCracken for working with her to keep the county’s budget balanced without increasing taxes.
According to a previous GantDaily.com report, the county’s major expenses included Children & Youth Services at $6,639,144. Other major expenses included the 911 Fund at $1,951,290; Domestic Relations at $1,430,784; and the CDBG at $1,306,109.
During a previous meeting, 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.