Last week Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter unveiled a brutal economic reality. After painting the town red with the Phillies, the city now was drowning in red ink.
Philadelphia faced a $1 billion budget deficit. To stop the flow of red ink, Nutter took out his ax and started chopping. City workers are being laid off; services are being reduced; libraries are closing and hours reduced. It was a cold, economic slap in the face.
This week it’s Delaware County’s turn. They are unveiling a budget for next year. Guess what? They aren’t raising taxes.
The county will spend less next year, as much as $13 million less under the $303 million budget. But county taxes will remain the same, based on a millage rate of 4.825, despite rising costs tied to the court system and criminal justice.
Last year taxes went up, about $49 for the average taxpayer.
County Executive Director Marianne Grace said the county has managed to avoid a tax hike – even as the economy appears to be in a full-blown meltdown – by carefully monitoring expenses and debt refunding.
I’m not sure how they did it, but it certainly comes as an early Christmas gift to most in the county who are facing some very tough economic times.
Well done!
Philadelphia faced a $1 billion budget deficit. To stop the flow of red ink, Nutter took out his ax and started chopping. City workers are being laid off; services are being reduced; libraries are closing and hours reduced. It was a cold, economic slap in the face.
This week it’s Delaware County’s turn. They are unveiling a budget for next year. Guess what? They aren’t raising taxes.
The county will spend less next year, as much as $13 million less under the $303 million budget. But county taxes will remain the same, based on a millage rate of 4.825, despite rising costs tied to the court system and criminal justice.
Last year taxes went up, about $49 for the average taxpayer.
County Executive Director Marianne Grace said the county has managed to avoid a tax hike – even as the economy appears to be in a full-blown meltdown – by carefully monitoring expenses and debt refunding.
I’m not sure how they did it, but it certainly comes as an early Christmas gift to most in the county who are facing some very tough economic times.
Well done!
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