Sugarcreek Borough Council members got their first look at the borough’s proposed budget for 2020 during the panel’s monthly meeting Wednesday.
“It’s pretty vanilla,” borough manager Joe Sporer said.
The tentative budget leaves property taxes at 6 mills and doesn’t include water, sewer or street light hikes.
Expenses, however, will increase by $30,000. Sporer said this increase is 90% due to wage increases that, as agreed on in the borough’s most recent contract with its employees, will go up 2.5%.
“There’s no surprises, nothing sticks out,” Sporer said.
He told council one of the biggest expenses next year will be the rehabilitation of the borough’s playground, which he estimated will cost $100,000 to $150,000.
“That playground is something we’re going to have to deal with I think it will be worth it,” Sporer said.
Councilman John McClelland said the current playground equipment, which has drawn negative commentary at past council meetings, was installed in 2001.
“So it’s probably about due,” McClelland said.
Sporer said he would begin looking into grant options to help defray playground costs at the beginning of the year.
The budget doesn’t include any significant paving projects due to the fact the borough’s low-to-moderate-income status regarding Community Development Block Grants was rescinded earlier this year.
Sporer said CDBG funds for the foreseeable future will be applied to a home grant program the borough is developing that will provide funds to residences that fit the criteria for renovations.
In other business Wednesday, council approved a motion that will allow the borough to take legal action against 12 outstanding properties that have failed to comply with the borough’s ordinance regarding sewer laterals.
“I do think if we push them a little we’ll get results a letter from an attorney will go a long way,” Sporer said.
Sporer said the remaining individuals have no outright financial hardship such as single parents or medical issues.
“They’re just ignoring me,” he said.
Police chief Bob Wenner announced that he and other officers from the borough will participate in the Battle of the Superheroes for Autism, a dodgeball tournament to be held Nov. 7 at Oil City High School that will pit several area police departments, fire departments, teachers and Army members against each other.
Proceeds will benefit Autism Stands.
Wenner said department officers have stopped several people for failing to stop for buses picking up or dropping off students. He said failure to stop for a bus is not only dangerous but can result in a hefty fine and the loss of a driver’s license for six months.
“There is no good reason to (not stop for a bus),” Wenner said.
