The Wayne County Commissioners are proposing the new 2013 budget that will carry a 4% hike in property taxes. The commissioners expect to adopt the new budget at their final meeting on December 27.

The current 2012 budget saw a decrease of 1.16% from the previous year. There was no increase in property taxes in the 2012 budget. The millage rate has not increased since 2009.

Real estate taxes for 2013 are expected to reach $16,280,473. The new millage increase will be 3.71, up from 3.56, with each mill representing one dollar in taxes per $1,000 of assessed value. A property assessed at $100,000 will see a $15 increase in the county tax, going from the current tax of $356 to $371.

The new budget is currently on display in the commissioners’ office in the county courthouse on Court Street during normal business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is also to be posted on the county website at www.co.wayne.pa.us.

The reason for the increase is that funding by state and federal agencies has been greatly diminished because of the poor economy caused by the recent recession. There have been cuts in state funding for human services programs, and reimbursements for juvenile and adult probation. There have also been funding losses for job training and for recycling.

Also, less revenue has resulted from declining activity in real estate transfer fees and land development fees.