Services tax raises 2008 budget

NEW CASTLE, Pa. – Union Township’s proposed 2008 budget is $227,772 higher than this year’s, the result of revenues the township expects to receive from the municipal services tax.

That tax, which was imposed in Union Township in 2007, costs $42 per year for each person who works in the township and makes more than $12,000 per year. Last year the minimum income was $10,000. The tax was first collected this year.

Township Secretary/Treasurer Sally Byler said the added money will be used to make some improvements on the municipal building and buy road equipment.

The budget shows a $1.2 million general fund which includes a $75,000 carryover balance from this year. Byler said the carry-over will be sufficient to get the township through until March tax revenues come in.

The budget will be available for inspection at the municipal building for 20 days, and a special meeting will be set for adoption.

Also Thursday, supervisors:

UFiled requests that Penn Power erect poles for street lights at Covert and McCombs roads, Camden and Albon, and Dayton and Albon. The poles will cost the township $643. Street lights are being installed because the areas are too dark, they said.

UA resident complained that street lights are not on yet on the bridge in front of Wal-Mart on U.S. Route 224. Byler said she has checked several times with PennDOT, who said it would take about a week to turn them on. The resident also complained about a large pothole on the newly constructed bridge.