Property tax increase not on list, officials say

Commissioners also plan to buy E-911 equipment today.
MERCER, Pa. -- No increase is anticipated in Mercer County property taxes in 2007, Commissioners Brian Beader and Olivia Lazor said Wednesday at their agenda meeting.
They would not give details about the 2007 budget, which will be introduced in its preliminary form today.
They said, however, that they will dip into the county's reserves of about 6 million to make up for an anticipated shortfall, which is a result of 1.2 million in state cuts for Children and Youth Services and Juvenile Probation, a 10 percent increase in health-care costs, and contract raises of two percent to three percent for some union employees.
Beader said county revenue has shown a 1.5 percent growth, but it is not enough to keep up with increased expenses. The preliminary budget will be displayed publicly for 20 days and possibly adjusted before anticipated final adoption Dec. 7.
Commissioner Michele Brooks, who is in Harrisburg preparing to assume a legislative post, is expected to return for today's meeting.
911 equipment
Also, Frank Jannetti, director of the county's Emergency Services and public safety, said he expects installation by January of the next phase of a 3 million E-911 equipment overhaul, which will eventually allow E-911 operators to determine the location of wireless calls.
Jannetti said the purchase of 557,555 worth of hardware and software from Motorola Inc., Schaumburg, Ill., will improve radio communication with emergency personnel and is one step in the process.
It will make it possible for dispatchers to determine which police or fire vehicle is calling, once that department's equipment is programmed. The money comes from a state grant derived from cell phone fees.
Janetti estimated that dispatchers will be able to pinpoint the location of cell phone callers by late 2007, depending on state funding.
A contract for the equipment purchase also is expected to be approved at today's commissioners' meeting.