City departments are working on budgetary requests for 2006 and
City Clerk John Peterson said it’s too early in the process to say
whether an increase in taxes is likely.

“The budgetary worksheets are due back in my office next week,”
Peterson said on Tuesday. “Budget hearings are scheduled for Oct.
18. Then we’ll start to have a better handle for 2006.

“It’s not a fun time of the year,” he added. Referring to
increases in gasoline prices, as well as heating costs, medical
costs and other necessary expenses, Peterson said, “It’s going to
impact the city directly.”

The city is exploring additional revenue streams to offset the
rising costs as much as possible, he said. Peterson said some help
could come from surrounding townships by way of financial support
to the Bradford City Fire Department ambulance service for
continued ambulance coverage.

“We’re looking at everybody to pitch in and help out their big
brother,” he said. The townships are still considering options for
ambulance service, including being served by another provider.

Meanwhile, city departments are tightening their belts even more
to help control costs.

“We’re down to looking at the prices of paper clips,” Peterson
said. “It’s going to be a hard year. I’m sure there will be some
things put on hold again next year.”

An increase of some sort in the budget may be unavoidable, but
it’s too early to tell, Peterson said.

“If there is a need for some sort of an increase, city council
will do their darndest to keep it as low as possible,” he
added.

One option open to council is the Emergency and Municipal
Services Tax, known as the occupational privilege tax. Last year,
Gov. Ed Rendell signed legislation allowing municipalities to hike
that tax from $10 up to $52.

Bradford City Council left it at $10.

“Thank God our council chose not to address it last year,”
Peterson said. Many municipalities raised the tax immediately to
the full amount allowable by law.

“Last year, by the time that came down, we had already balanced
our budget,” he said. It wasn’t necessary to increase the privilege
tax at that time, so the council didn’t, Peterson explained.

This year, conditions brought on in part by Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita have increased fuel costs for everyone.

“We’re facing the exact same consequences as everybody,” he
said.

Budgeting for what next year’s costs might be isn’t easy, he
added, as gas prices in particular can change drastically
overnight.

The Emergency and Municipal Services Tax must be used for police
and emergency services, road construction and/or maintenance or
property tax reduction. It is paid by everyone who works in the
city and could help alleviate some of the tax burden on senior
citizens who own homes within the city, Mayor Michele Corignani
said last year when Rendell passed the change.

An increase in the privilege tax “may be a more palatable option
than raising taxes,” Peterson added. “That may be an option that
council may want to consider in lieu of raising real estate taxes.
It does leave us an option.”

The first reading of the city’s budget is expected at the Nov.
22 council meeting, Peterson said.