Property taxes are going up in Port Allegany next year, a move one borough official considers essential to the future of the Port Area Ambulance Service.
With an unanimous vote, Port Allegany Borough Council on Monday evening approved a $2,183,405 preliminary budget that calls for increasing funding for the Port Area Ambulance Service.
Officials said the organization would be slated to receive $44,972 in borough property taxes next year.
Borough Council President Andrew Johnson said the millage increase has widespread support among borough residents, and that a referendum in the November general election made that evident.
A total of 479 voters approved increasing funding of one-half mill up to 1 mill starting in 2017 for the ambulance service. A total of 186 residents voted “no” on the ballot question.
“We appreciate any help we can get. We appreciate them helping out with this,” said a worker at the ambulance service who wished not to be identified.
This year’s borough ambulance funding totals $25,887. Next year, the amount would be $44,972, which includes the increase in millage as well as an estimated $2,500 in back taxes, according to Port Allegany Borough Manager Robert Veilleux.
Under the proposed budget, a 0.325-mill increase has been approved to support the operation of the ambulance service. All told, the ambulance service will receive 0.825 mills in 2017.
Johnson said he believes the new funding will leave a lasting impact, saying that it comes down to ensuring emergency response continues or not having that service in the future. He understands emergency situations; Johnson is the county’s emergency services director.
The extra funding makes sure that the doors of the service remain open and the level of service continues in the borough, Johnson said.
Also under the adopted budget, insurance and pension expenses have gone up, and those are the main drivers of the budget, he said.
The proposed spending plan includes water and sewer, $1,149,175 for water and sewer; $694,798, general fund; $23,885, street lighting; $108,491, fire protection; library, $80,316; ambulance, $44,972; and state aid, $79,768. An increase of 0.175 mills is also being earmarked for the general fund.
“The budget’s tight, and I have to applaud the borough manager and the borough secretary for keeping the cost of business down,” Johnson said.
On Monday, borough council also approved an agreement with Berkheimer for collection of the local service tax, effective Jan. 1.
Also at the meeting, council adopted an ordinance that allows borough property owners to keep taking part in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood insurance program.
