`Council passes5-mill tax increase`

By Kristen Garrett
Herald Staff Writer

Sharon City Council Monday approved a budget that is in excess of $8.3 million and will mean a 5 mill tax hike for residents, but one councilman was not willing to go along.

Council Vice President Fred Hoffman voted no to the general fund budget of $8,317,329 and every budget item that followed. He said the reason for his vote had nothing to do with the budget not being prepared well, but because he feels it is out of hand. “Somebody needs to control that budget,” Hoffman said.

The city is carrying over into 2000 at least $500,000 in unpaid bills from 1999, Hoffman said. He said the city incurred extra costs during the winter storm. Hoffman said he feels there needs to be stronger controls on line items in the budget.

The 5 mill increase will bring property taxes to 35 mills a year. It will mean about an $85 annual increase for the average taxpayer. Each mill brings in about $103,000 for the city. Council President Raymond Fabian said he was not happy with the large increase, but he thinks the city has done many good things over the year. He said they were able to pave streets, take care of snow removal and help to clean up the city.

Hoffman said the reason for the unusually high budget comes from several places. The problems with the city’s sewer systems mean an increase of $6.50 a quarter for residents, and the city must borrow $3 million in order to fix the city’s problems with overflowing sewers.

About $40,000 will go to the city’s recycling costs, Hoffman said. He said the city pays for every house in Sharon to recycle, regardless of whether or not they actually do. Hoffman said the police department also has a lofty budget, but they are not able to cut any patrolmen from the force.

There is a chance the city could be about $240,000 to $290,000 over budget in 2000, Hoffman said. He said the city is looking at switching health plans, which could save a lot of money. If this happens, Hoffman said the key is keeping the city from spending the extra money.

Some other budget items that are adding extra costs to the 2000 budget are a new ladder truck for the fire department, two new police cruisers and road paving projects.

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Council passes 5-mill tax increase

`Council passes5-mill tax increase`