Shohola to see a 16-percent tax increase

By TOM KANE

SHOHOLA, PA –—It’s only .9 of a mill, a rather harmless sounding amount, but it translates to 16 percent.

That’s the amount of the tax increase in the Shohola Township budget for 2005.

For anyone inexperienced in municipal finances in the Commonwealth, a .9 mill increase seems harmless until you do the math.

It’s confusing no matter how you look at it, but there are no shenanigans going on here. When you consider the recent increases in the cost of everything, it’s on the reasonable side of the fence.

“Look at the increase in oil prices, the cost of health insurance premiums, the increases in the cost of living index and workman’s comp,” said Nelia Wall, the township secretary and budget officer. “We had to lower our coverage in insurance just to be able to handle it.”

There will be no cuts in services or cuts in staff, she said. The township has no contractual obligations since it has no unionized workers.

“One of the problems is that we haven’t had an increase in taxes in five years so now it’s catching up to us,” she said.

“Road work is becoming more and more expensive,” said George J. Fluhr, chairman of the supervisors’ board.

“A person who owns a home worth $100,000 will pay a little less than $25 more,” he said.

The tax levy will bring in $358,144. Last year, the levy was $295,400. The total spending plan will be $668,923. Last year’s figure was $527,770.

A copy of the budget will be available at the township hall for inspection. Unlike New York State, there will be no public hearing on the budget. The budget will be approved at the board’s next regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 9. If residents have a problem with the budget, they can express their opinions to the budget officer in the township hall during regular office hours on Mondays to Thursdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.