County reduces Act 13 tax credit

BY STACI WILSON

County taxes hold steady for 2016 at 10.5 mills. The millage has remained at that level since at least 2012, according to information available on the county’s Tax Claim Bureau site.

But for the past two years, property owners in the county have seen a 2 mill Act 13 tax reduction credit. For 2016, the county has scaled the tax credit back to 1 mill – the same amount given in 2013.

In addition to the 10.5 mills for General Real Estate, property owners are also assessed .33 mills for the library fund – bringing the total millage to 10.83.

According to Commissioner Alan Hall, one mill brings in about $840,000 in revenue to the county.

The commissioners set the millage rate at the Nov. 25 meeting.

The county has proposed a $29 million budget for the coming year. Copies of the proposed budget are available at the county courthouse. The commissioners are expected to adopt the final budget this month.

The miscellaneous compensation schedule, as approved by the salary board to reflect increases in pay for election officers, was approved.

The resignation of Michelle Estabrook from her deputy position in the Register/Recorder’s office was accepted, effective Jan. 4, 2016.

Estabrook was elected in November to the post of Register/Recorder and will take the oath of office on Jan. 4 – the same day her resignation goes into effect.

The commissioners discussed the implications of carrying Estabrook’s employment into the new year.

Commissioner Michael Giangrieco said extending her position until she takes office would ensure she had insurance coverage in the first days of the year.

Commissioner MaryAnn Warren said that Estabrook would be entitled to also pick up vacation and personal time that goes into effect at the first of the year.

Hall said that she would pick up that time and a check would be paid out to Estabrook.

Connie Richie will be retiring from the Register/Recorder’s office, effective close of business on Dec. 31.

The county signed a two –year lease with the Susquehanna County Conservation District, effective Jan. 1, 2016 – Dec. 31, 2017. The Conservation District rents space at the county’s building located at 88 Chenango St. in Montrose.

Jim Kessler and Raymond Warriner were reappointed to the Conservation District Board of Directors for three year terms ending in 2019; Commissioner MaryAnn Warren was appointed for a one-year term, Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2016.

The commissioners also signed a one-year memorandum of understanding with Penn State Extension, effective Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2016. Hall said the county’s contribution is $109,347.

The Tax Claim Bureau was exonerated from collecting delinquent taxes on two parcels: a mobile home in Apolacon Twp. that had been removed from the property and the parcel deleted by Assessment on Sept. 29; and a mobile home in Jackson Twp. that had been removed from the property and the parcel was deleted by Assessment in May 2014.

The commissioners approved a Continuity of Operations and Government plan which outlines how government services would continue in the county in the event of a natural or man-made emergency.