LAWRENCE COUNTY Commissioners seek solution to fix deficit

County commissioners want to start taxing cellular towers in the county.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners say they are beginning meetings this week with row officers and department heads to determine how they will curb a projected $1.3 million deficit by year's end.
"I prefer to solve this problem collectively and sit down with department heads," Commissioner Dan Vogler said.
Vogler said Judge Dominick Motto, the county's president judge, will be the first to meet with commissioners. The meetings will be similar to ones held in January when commissioners reopened the 2004 budget.
Taxing towers
Commissioners say they are also looking at raising more revenue and expect to start taxing cellular telephone towers by year's end.
According to a report by the county assessor's office, there are 61 cellular telephone towers in the county that could bring an extra $300,000 in tax revenue for the county. School districts and municipalities would also receive tax dollars from cell towers.
The land where cellular towers are located is now taxed, but the towers are not.
Commissioners say they hope to have the necessary resolutions passed by December to include the cell tower revenue in next year's budget.
The county has written a letter to school districts and municipalities asking them to share the cost of having the cell towers assessed. It is expected to cost about $18,600.
Commissioners say they are excited about raising revenue from a new source next year, but Commissioner Steve Craig said balancing this year's budget will only be done through cutting staff.
"To make year end we are going to have to take personnel actions," he said. Craig did not say when layoffs would begin.
cioffi@vindy.com