Special Session of Council

Town of Greenville Council Minutes 11/27/23 www.greenvilleborough.com MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TOWN OF GREENVILLE COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS Monday, November 27, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. 1. Call to Order Paul Hamill, Mayor If you are a visitor to council, we ask you to please sign in at the door and turn off all cellular telephones. 2. Invocation: Rev. Sean Hall, Hillside Presbyterian Church Flag Salute led by Councilor Jean Carr 3. Roll Call: Paul Hamill, Mayor Linda Zuschlag, Deputy Mayor Tracy Beil, Councilor Anne Butcher, Councilor Jean Carr, Councilor Sean Hall, Councilor Evan Hereford, Councilor Jasson W. Urey, Town Manager Solicitor, Douglas, Joseph & Olson - Excused Also present: Frank Vanderslice Brian Krall Alan Bauer Barb Bauer Marc Rinella Jean Rinella Hal Johnson Jackie Klinger Michelle Mueller Gary Mueller Joel Rinella Jean Eaton Cory Rinella Chad Bromley Jerome Little Pat Eaton Brenda Turner Leslie Price Staff: Media: Amy Hollowell - Administrative Assistant Caleb Stright, Record-Argus Rosalynn Reagle – Assistant Town Manager Dave Hetrick – Financial Assistant Matt Breedlove – Assistant Code Enforcement Officer Page 1 of 4 Town of Greenville Council Minutes 11/27/23 4. Public Comments (5-minute time limit) Residents: Mr. Joel Rinella compared the proposed tax increases and inflation rates. Mr. Rinella questioned items number five (5) and letter “J” on the agenda. Mr. Gary Mueller expressed his opinion that the $5.00 an hour increase in pay across the board is fiscal irresponsibility. Non-Residents: Mr. Marc Rinella stated living in Hempfield Township is much more affordable. He suggested the Town should only send the fire trucks to fires, not emergency medical calls. Mr. Rinella also suggested logs be kept for mileage and types of trips the fire vehicles responding to calls. He commented on snow removal, the Storm Water Utility, and Fire Service Fees. Ms. Leslie Price commented on a stray cat trapped in a vacant residence. Mr. Breedlove commented that this has been addressed with the Humane Society. Council Consideration 5. Approval of Revised October Budget Report and Bills Payroll $220,537.25 Administration 72,149.79 Police 110,277.05 Fire 121,450.43 Code 3,161.75 Public Works 30,979.62 Airport 232,009.45 Parks 24,111.95 Storm Water 14,202.94 Brownfield Grant 10,846.74 Capital Fund 0.00 ARPA Fund 93,178.48 Liquid Fuels 0.00 Fire Escrow Fund 8,384.72 Sewer 131,223.39 Total $1,072,513.56 Motion by Councilor Hall, seconded by Councilor Hereford, to approve the revised October Budget Report and Bills. Councilor Hereford asked why it was changed. Mr. Urey explained the November Regular Session agenda had the prior month's financials and was not presented correctly. Mayor Hamill noted there were line items that do not usually appear. Motion carried 7-0. 6. New Business A. Motion by Councilor Beil, seconded by Councilor Hall, to adopt Resolution 2023-23 to make application to the Strategic Management Planning Program grant. Motion carried 7-0. Page 2 of 4 Town of Greenville Council Minutes 11/27/23 B. Motion by Councilor Hall, seconded by Councilor Zuschlag, to adopt the 2024 Capital Improvement Plan. Motion carried 7-0. C. Motion by Councilor Hall, seconded by Councilor Zuschlag, to adopt the 2024 Airport, General, Sewer, Fire Service Fee, Storm Water Utility, and Capital Budgets. Councilor Hereford asked why a mill is worth $347.00 less than last year. Mr. Urey explained the tax assessment value was smaller than last year. Mayor Hamill added that the value of taxable property decreased by $400,000.00, and that of non-taxable property increased by $61,000.00. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Hall – yes, Councilor Butcher – yes, Councilor Beil – no, Councilor Hereford – no, Councilor Zuschlag – yes, Councilor Carr – yes, Mayor Hamill – yes. Motion carried 5-2. D. Motion by Councilor Butcher, seconded by Councilor Carr, to adopt Ordinance 1635, establishing the 2024 General Purposes Tax Rate (12 mills). Motion carried 7-0. E. Motion by Councilor Hereford, seconded by Councilor Beil, to adopt Ordinance 1636, establishing the 2024 Special Purposes Fire Protection Services Tax Rate (3 mills). Motion carried 7-0. F. Motion by Councilor Carr, seconded by Councilor Butcher, to adopt Ordinance 1637, establishing the 2024 General Tax Rate for Indebtedness (10.58). Mayor Hamill noted there was no change in the rate from last year. Motion carried 7-0. G. Motion by Councilor Hall, seconded by Councilor Carr, to adopt ordinance 1638, establishing the 2024 Earned Income Tax Rate (EIT) (.5% increase) (2.25% for residents (1.75% for the Town and .5% for the School District) and 1.0% for non-residents). Councilor Hereford proposed raising the property tax by 10 mills since it has decreased that amount over the last few years. He would like to see that instead of increasing the EIT and explaining his example of mills vs. EIT. Councilor Beil is concerned the town relies too much on EIT, stating it is too flexible. She wants to see more balance between EIT and property taxes. Councilor Hall reminded Council that the EIT shifts the burden away from fixed-income seniors. Councilor Carr echoed Councilor Hall. Mayor Hamill presented rates from several other municipalities. Councilor Hall stated we are struggling to keep emergency services staffed, and the town voted overwhelmingly to keep the paid fire department. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Hall – yes, Councilor Butcher – yes, Councilor Beil – no, Councilor Hereford – no, Councilor Zuschlag – yes, Councilor Carr – yes, Mayor Hamill – yes. Motion carried 5-2. H. Motion by Councilor Butcher, seconded by Councilor Carr, to adopt Ordinance 1639, establishing the 2024 Realty Transfer Tax Rate of 2.0% (1.5% for the Town and .5% for the School District. This is a .5% increase from the 2023 rate). Motion carried 7-0. I. Motion by Councilor Hall, seconded by Councilor Carr, to adopt Resolution 2023-26 to make changes to the Town's Fee Resolution to change the Fire Service Fee. Councilor Hall reminded Council he wanted to see a higher rate when the Fire Service Fee was initially adopted. He feels the $40.00 increase still will not maintain what is needed for the department. Councilor Hereford said this increase is not necessary, stating this is too much all at once. Roll Call Vote: Councilor Hall – yes, Councilor Butcher – Yes, Councilor Beil – yes, Councilor Hereford – no, Councilor Zuschlag – yes, Councilor Carr – yes. Motion carried 6-1. Page 3 of 4 Town of Greenville Council Minutes 11/27/23 J. Motion by Councilor Hall, seconded by Councilor Zuschlag to adopt Resolution 2023-27, intent to reimburse general funds used for interim basis funding the North Main Street Storm Water Sewer System Project with PENNVEST loan funds. Motion carried 7-0. 7. Council Comments Councilor Hall said he hates tax increases, but local taxes stay here to provide our town with services, unlike state and federal taxes. We will be able to retain public safety personnel and work on equipment. It will not be enough, but we will make do with what is provided. Councilor Beil appreciates everyone's opinions, and we do not all have to agree. Councilor Hereford agrees that Council works hard to put the budget together, and $3,000,000.00 is not a lot to run this town on, but I had to speak up and say my piece. Councilor Zuschlag reminded the audience that three (Council) seats were available on the May ballot. Two people ran, and one won on a write-in. She said seeing the lack of interest in serving on Council was disappointing. She reminded the audience they could have run and made their voice heard. Councilor Carr knows there are issues with raising the EIT, but senior citizens cannot afford to raise property taxes on fixed incomes. EIT is a way to place more of that burden on those working. We are trying to have your back and look out for you. 8. Mayor Comments- we are trying our best for the community. 9. Town Manager Comments None. 10. Adjournment - Motion by Councilor Hereford, seconded by Councilor Hall, to adjourn this session for Council at 7:21 p.m. Motion carried 7-0 Respectfully submitted, Jasson W. Urey Town Manager/Secretary Page 4 of 4