Unpaid sewage bills strain Harrisville budget
HARRISVILLE — The borough is facing a $34,539 shortfall in its 2023 budget, largely due to $45,304 in unpaid sewage bills, $34,782 of which result from 15 delinquencies.
Councilman Will McCoy said during Monday’s council meeting that borough revenue is forecast at $192,598 for the year, and anticipated expenditures are $227,137. The budget has yet to be finalized.
At last week’s meeting, council discussed the impact of the shortfall and options to address it, which include raising taxes, reducing services and combining its police department with others nearby.
The approximately 30 residents in attendance were unanimous in opposition to combining the police department or relying on state police. McCoy said the borough police department accounts for 51.9% of the budget.
Councilman Dave Evans noted that the borough hasn’t increased its tax millage in about 15 years.
Borough Police Chief Jeff Holidge said he would “take a pay cut rather than reduce the hours of officers.”
As of September, the department had three officers. Mayor Gary Hughes praised the diligence and performance of the police department.
McCoy said he looked at other area municipalities regarding population and tax rates, adding that some had larger populations, a higher tax rate and larger tax base. Some had combined police departments with nearby municipalities.
Hughes emphasized the importance of closely watching spending and tracking expenditures.
Council discussed ways to obtain payment for delinquent sewer bills. Council members said they understand some people may be experiencing hard times and can fall behind in their payments.
Payment plans, for instance, could set up to meet individual circumstances.
Council member Mary Ann Hughes added that the collection process should begin with a personalized, solution-focused letter. Council supported giving people the opportunity to respond and address the delinquency before taking additional steps.
Mary Ann Hughes said personal letters have helped resolved delinquencies in the past.
At the Monday meeting, council:
- Approved the purchase of a new unmarked Ford Explorer police vehicle to replace a 13-year-old Crown Victoria. The cost of the new vehicle is capped at $50,000. It is anticipated 50% of the cost will come from federal COVID-19 relief funds awarded to the borough, and 50% will be financed. McCoy abstained from this vote.
- Authorized replacement of a water tank and pressure pump to address insufficient pressure at the new park bathrooms.
- Appointed Doug Cook as borough clerk, filling a longtime vacancy. Cook, Mayor Hughes noted, has experience in county, borough and township planning and management.
- Approved an amendment to increase by $200 the $9,000 cost to replace the borough mower. Evans noted that the existing mower is not commercial grade, requires regular repair and is hard to find parts for. The cost of a replacement commercial-grade, zero-turn mower was the most affordable of six estimates received, according to Evans, council’s maintenance chairman. The existing mower will be kept as a backup.
- Continued to discuss options for replacing a maintenance truck.
- Heard spring cleanup is underway. Storm drain and sidewalk repairs/replacement soon will take place.
- Heard the recent Easter egg hunt featured 200 children searching for 1,500 eggs. Those interested in helping next year should contact the borough.
- Announced the next borough meeting is 7 p.m. May 1. An agenda-setting meeting is scheduled for April 17 at 7.p.m. Both meetings will be held at the borough hall.
