Budget With 1-Mill Tax Increase Preliminarily Approved by Canonsburg Council

The potential hiring of the borough’s first full-time firefighter split Canonsburg Council on a preliminary 2013 budget Tuesday, resulting in a 3-3 tie that was broken by Mayor David H. Rhome, who voted yes.

The budget includes $25,000, plus $12,000 in benefits to hire the firefighter. A federal grant will match the $25,000, borough Manager Terry Hazlett said.

The $4.39 million budget calls for a one-mill increase. That mill will be dedicated to parks and recreation. Councilman Rich Russo has said previously that a 1-mill tax increase would mean most property owners will pay about $12 more in taxes.

Councilmen Tim Bilsky, Councilwoman Pat Romano and Councilman Paul Sharkady voted against the budget’s passage, with Russo, Council President John Bevec and Councilman Peter Lucas voting in favor of the spending plan.

Councilwoman Fran Coleman abstained from the vote.

Councilmen Joe Graff and Joe McGarry were absent.

Final vote on the budget will be Dec. 10.

Council also unanimously pass the $3.3 million preliminary operating budget for the sewer plant. As the administration added about $40,000 to the budget since it was last viewed by the CHJA board, council asked Borough Manager Terry Hazlett to meet with board representatives to explain the additions before the voting meeting.