A Possibility of No Tax Increase for
Bradford Residents After All
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Bradford residents might not see a tax increase after all – "might not" being the operative words.
Following Tuesday's City Council meeting, Councilman Bob Onuffer who oversees accounts and finances said, "It looks very, very good" for no tax increase.
"We have a lot of cooperation going now and we're still working," Onuffer said.
During the meeting, council approved the budget ordinance on first reading.
The $8 million proposed budget for next year is about $500,000 over the anticipated general fund expenditures for this year.
The submitted expenditures for accounts and finances for next year is $2.8 million compared to an anticipated $2.37 million this year. Public affairs, public safety and streets and public improvements are about the same for this year and next year at $1.3 million, $1.5 million and $1.79 million respectively. Parks and public property is anticipated at $586,000 this year and $611,000 next year.
As in past years, Mayor Tom Riel said the budget is a work in progress and "it most likely, and very possibly, will change between now and the next reading."
Earlier in the day at the Kiwanis Club meeting, Riel addressed some budget issues as well.
"In four years, I've never seen city council work as hard as they're working this year to try to overcome our money problems," Riel said. "Our employees are working with the city trying to help us out more than they ever have before, and we're making some progress there."
"That's the only way we're going to see ourselves through it," Riel said. "We can't just keep raising property taxes and laying off people. That's not the answer. We have to change the way we run our government."
Riel noted that a couple of weeks ago, Councilman Rick Benton pointed out that the city has the same number of employees and the same size government as it did when Bradford had twice the population it does now.
"I think … everybody will be pleasantly surprised in a few weeks," he said, quickly adding that "no matter what you do, it's a thankless job and no one's ever going to be happy."
Riel also said city council probably won't address participating in the state's Early Intervention or distressed cities programs until after the two new council members are seated. In January, Jim Evans and Fred Proper will replace Onuffer and Coucnilman Bob Tingley.
Also during the council meeting, Rocco Camas said he has a solution to help the city with its recycling program. Camas headed the former Owls/Ramblers recycling program.
"I'm willing to bail you out again to get this program back on," Camas said. "Bradford Township refused it (and) and it's the biggest mistake Bradford Township ever made. Believe me, it's going to come back to haunt them for years."
Camas said he will bring in someone from SDS in Olean to explain the "state-of-the-art" recycling process they're using.
SDS was in Bradford two years ago with a proposal that would have meant a $6.75 fee for city residents, according to City Clerk John Peterson.
Camas said that proposal was based on SDS picking up the recycling themselves. He said, in this case, city workers would still pick up the recyclable items and take them to Olean.
He said he'd present the plan to council after the first of the year when new council members are seated.
Also Tuesday council authorized Riel, on behalf of the city, to sign an agreement accepting funding from PennDOT's Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century,
The $1.3 million in TEA-21 funding will go toward construction of the Community Parks Trail.
In other matters, council authorized the OECD to advertise for bids for the architectural/engineering proposals for Downtown Bradford Gateway Improvement projects and services for Phase III of the Elm Street Neighborhood Streetscape Improvement project.
Council also agreed that John Kohler could get a building permit to alter and renovate 25 Main Street. The improvements include replacing doors and windows, exterior cleaning and painting.
The colors will match the building at 21 Main Street, which Kohler also owns.
And, council agreed to grant free parking in the business district from Friday through December 31.
WESB/WBRR News Director
Bradford residents might not see a tax increase after all – "might not" being the operative words.
Following Tuesday's City Council meeting, Councilman Bob Onuffer who oversees accounts and finances said, "It looks very, very good" for no tax increase.
"We have a lot of cooperation going now and we're still working," Onuffer said.
During the meeting, council approved the budget ordinance on first reading.
The $8 million proposed budget for next year is about $500,000 over the anticipated general fund expenditures for this year.
The submitted expenditures for accounts and finances for next year is $2.8 million compared to an anticipated $2.37 million this year. Public affairs, public safety and streets and public improvements are about the same for this year and next year at $1.3 million, $1.5 million and $1.79 million respectively. Parks and public property is anticipated at $586,000 this year and $611,000 next year.
As in past years, Mayor Tom Riel said the budget is a work in progress and "it most likely, and very possibly, will change between now and the next reading."
Earlier in the day at the Kiwanis Club meeting, Riel addressed some budget issues as well.
"In four years, I've never seen city council work as hard as they're working this year to try to overcome our money problems," Riel said. "Our employees are working with the city trying to help us out more than they ever have before, and we're making some progress there."
"That's the only way we're going to see ourselves through it," Riel said. "We can't just keep raising property taxes and laying off people. That's not the answer. We have to change the way we run our government."
Riel noted that a couple of weeks ago, Councilman Rick Benton pointed out that the city has the same number of employees and the same size government as it did when Bradford had twice the population it does now.
"I think … everybody will be pleasantly surprised in a few weeks," he said, quickly adding that "no matter what you do, it's a thankless job and no one's ever going to be happy."
Riel also said city council probably won't address participating in the state's Early Intervention or distressed cities programs until after the two new council members are seated. In January, Jim Evans and Fred Proper will replace Onuffer and Coucnilman Bob Tingley.
Also during the council meeting, Rocco Camas said he has a solution to help the city with its recycling program. Camas headed the former Owls/Ramblers recycling program.
"I'm willing to bail you out again to get this program back on," Camas said. "Bradford Township refused it (and) and it's the biggest mistake Bradford Township ever made. Believe me, it's going to come back to haunt them for years."
Camas said he will bring in someone from SDS in Olean to explain the "state-of-the-art" recycling process they're using.
SDS was in Bradford two years ago with a proposal that would have meant a $6.75 fee for city residents, according to City Clerk John Peterson.
Camas said that proposal was based on SDS picking up the recycling themselves. He said, in this case, city workers would still pick up the recyclable items and take them to Olean.
He said he'd present the plan to council after the first of the year when new council members are seated.
Also Tuesday council authorized Riel, on behalf of the city, to sign an agreement accepting funding from PennDOT's Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century,
The $1.3 million in TEA-21 funding will go toward construction of the Community Parks Trail.
In other matters, council authorized the OECD to advertise for bids for the architectural/engineering proposals for Downtown Bradford Gateway Improvement projects and services for Phase III of the Elm Street Neighborhood Streetscape Improvement project.
Council also agreed that John Kohler could get a building permit to alter and renovate 25 Main Street. The improvements include replacing doors and windows, exterior cleaning and painting.
The colors will match the building at 21 Main Street, which Kohler also owns.
And, council agreed to grant free parking in the business district from Friday through December 31.
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