SHARON Budget stays same for vote

The mayor and his department heads reviewed the proposed budget but made no changes.
SHARON, Pa. -- No residents showed up at Tuesday's hearing on the city's proposed $8 million general fund budget.
City Council President Fred Hoffman had announced Thursday that council wouldn't conduct any budget hearings this year to go over the spending plan presented by Mayor David O. Ryan.
The budget calls for a 5.5-mill property tax increase; the layoffs of two police officers, two firefighters and two street department workers; and an 11 percent increase in the sewer-user fee.
Budget hearings
Council has traditionally held its own budget hearings to make changes in the proposed spending plan and spent several days at the task last year but won't be doing it again this year, Hoffman said.
The mayor will have to conduct the hearings, he said Thursday.
Ryan scheduled hearings for 10 a.m. Tuesday and today but said no residents or council members showed up at Tuesday's hearing.
The mayor and his department heads reviewed the proposed budget but made no changes, Ryan said Tuesday, adding that today's meeting was canceled.
The budget will be unchanged when it goes before city council for a final vote Dec. 19, the mayor said.
Disagreement
Most of council said Thursday they don't like the mayor's budget.
Hoffman said he could support the tax increase but not the layoffs, and Councilman Raymond Fabian said he understands the need for a tax increase but has reservations about the scope of the layoffs, particularly involving safety forces.
Councilman Lou Rotunno said the city should be able to make do with a 1.5-mill tax increase for operating purposes and no layoffs.
Without any budget hearings to work out changes, council will be left to act at the Dec. 19 meeting to either make spending changes, refuse to approve the budget or approve it as presented.