SHARPSVILLE Borough council gives final approval to budget

Water rates will go up 15 percent next year.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARPSVILLE, Pa. -- Borough council gave final approval Wednesday to a 2002 budget that is about $90,000 higher than the one introduced in November, but still avoids a tax increase.
Borough Manager Michael Wilson said council decided to transfer $80,000 from capital improvements into a street paving program for next year, causing the last-minute increase in the general fund spending plan.
The new budget total is $1,147,788.
Property taxes will still be at 14.03 mills, he said.
Council had earlier announced it would take $70,000 from the street paving program and $55,000 from capital improvements to balance the original budget proposal for next year, and those financial arrangements are included in the final version, Wilson said.
However, rather than reduce the street paving program to nothing, council has decided to further tap the capital improvement budget for the additional $80,000, he said.
Water rate increase: Although they aren't facing a tax increase, residents will see an increase in their water rates.
The water department budget stands at $619,175 for next year, and the borough was facing a revenue shortfall of $25,000 to $30,000.
Council approved a 15 percent increase in rates that will generate about $60,000 in new revenue to cover that as well as some needed waterline replacements.
The average residential consumer will see his or her monthly rate rise from about $17 to $19.60.
Other matters: In other business, council accepted the resignation of Councilman David J. Lapikas who has stepped down because he has moved from the borough.
There are two years left in his unexpired term, and council has 30 days in which to name a replacement.
Mayor Kenneth Robertson said the Sharpsville Democrat Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 30 in the borough building to interview people interested in the post and then make a recommendation to council.
Anyone interested should send a letter to the committee at 246 S. 10th St., he said.