SHARPSVILLE Property tax will rise by 4 mills next year

A councilman suggested that the borough look at becoming a home rule community as a way of providing tax-raising options in the future.
SHARPSVILLE, Pa. -- Property taxes will rise by 4 mills in the borough next year.
Borough council voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt a $1,168,000 general fund budget for 2003 that will set the property tax rate at 18.03 mills.
The 4-mill increase will cost the average residential property owner an additional $76 a year.
Officials said 3 mills will go toward operating expenses and 1 mill is set aside to help pay for a firetruck the borough is buying.
That firetruck mill will stay in place for 10 years.
One mill generates about $28,000 in revenue for the borough.
Not many concerns
Mayor Kenneth Robertson said two residents showed up at Wednesday's council meeting to express concerns about the property-tax increase.
The mayor said Councilman Guy Moderelli suggested that the borough form a committee to look into the possibility of Sharpsville's becoming a home rule community that would be able to increase its wage tax rate above the current 1 percent state limit as a way of increasing revenue and easing the burden on property taxes in the future.
In other business, council:
UAnnounced receipt of a $225,000 state Department of Community and Economic Development grant that will be channeled into the borough's low- and moderate-income housing rehabilitation program. The money will be enough to rehabilitate up to 15 homes, said Borough Manager Michael Wilson.
URenamed a short section of Quarry Way that leads into the Sharpsville Area School District complex as Blue Devil Way. The Blue Devil is the school mascot.