Wayne County introduces 2007 budget

By TOM KANE

HONESDALE, PA There will be no increase in taxes resulting from Wayne County’s new budget for 2007.

County business manager John Haggarty presented the new budget to the commissioners on December 7. The budget must be adopted by December 28.

“We’ve worked very hard to keep the budget as level as possible,” said Tony Herzog, chairman of the commissioners.

The balanced budget of $27,694,104 reflects a 4.67 percent increase in spending over last year’s budget,” Haggarty said. This figure is $1,236,504 higher than last year.

The millage rate will remain at the 2006 levelū2.786 mills.

The main increases are in the Department of Corrections, the Agency on Aging and the mental health program, Haggarty said.

The amount to be raised by taxes in the new budget is $11,914,094. Last year, that amount was $11,801,400. Funds that were carried over from the current budget are $75,000.

The amount to be spent on the county’s mental health program next year will be $776,395. Last year, that amount was $439,878.

There was a $300,832 increase in the corrections budget over last year to pay for the move to the new prison, which should be completed by the end of 2007.

“Because the county contracted for a Guaranteed Cost Energy Savings Program, which consolidated electric energy costs in our several buildings, the move helped to save us money,” Haggarty said.

The budget will be available for review in the commissioners’ office at the Wayne County Courthouse on Court Street in Honesdale. Unlike New York State, there is no public hearing on the new budget for residents’ reaction.