Ross Taxes going up 1 mill; police to be hired
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It's not often that residents ask for taxes to be raised. But approximately 100 Ross residents did just that Monday night, preferring higher taxes to fewer police.
A fear that budget-cutting would result in the township not replacing five retiring police officers brought police supporters out in force, most wearing blue ribbons that officers passed out at the door.
In the end, seven commissioners voted to raise taxes in order to balance the budget without further cuts. It is the first real-estate tax increase in Ross in 18 years.
The $14,701,250 spending plan sets the tax rate at an even 3 mills. That is an increase of 1.0329 mills. One mill generates approximately $1.8 million in Ross. The proposed budget had a shortfall of $1.9 million.
For taxpayers, the increase means on a home valued at $100,000, taxes will rise 52.5 percent, or about $103 per year.
The budget also gives the township a $480,946 reserve. The reserve in the 2010 budget was spent. Township manager Wayne Jones had asked commissioners to consider raising taxes by more than one mill in order to have a healthy reserve.
The budget passed 7-2 with Commissioners Daniel DeMarco, Chris Rand Eyster, David Mikec, Grant Montgomery, Gerald O'Brien, Peter Ferraro and Grace Stanko voting for it. Lana Mazur and Daniel Kinross voted against it.
Mr. Kinross handed his colleagues his own budget before the meeting. His plan kept the tax rate at 1.9671 mills, but did not replace any police officers in 2011. Employee raises were cut, as was a parks and recreation study for which the township received a $25,000 grant. He said he also cut $300,000 from line items, but did not give any examples.
"I believe we can still have a balanced budget with no tax increase," he said. "We all have to live within our means."
Previously, commissioners cut $500,000 from the $1.2 million paving program for 2011. The approved budget gives $325,000 of that back. Commissioners had eliminated paving altogether in the 2010 budget.
"If we don't get back on track, we're just going to ruin the infrastructure," Mr. Ferraro said. "I don't think people want roads that are in disrepair."
Prior to the vote, several residents urged commissioners to keep the police force at 43 officers, even if that meant raising their taxes. Four officers will retire at the end of the year, and police Chief Ralph Freedman will leave in February.
First Published December 30, 2010 12:00 am
