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2015 Dauphin County budget approved with no tax increase

HARRISBURG, PA (WPMT) – The Dauphin County Commissioners approve a $245 million budget for 2015 that for the 10th straight year does not include a tax increase....

HARRISBURG, PA (WPMT) – The Dauphin County Commissioners approve a $245 million budget for 2015 that for the 10th straight year does not include a tax increase.

“As this budget shows, we are committed to maintaining the services on which our residents depend,’’ said commission Chairman Jeff Haste. “We never lose sight of the fact that we owe it to our residents to do everything possible not to add to their financial burden.’’

Haste also thanked the county’s row officers and President Judge Todd A. Hoover and the other judges for their efforts in controlling costs, calling today’s budget “a true team effort.’’

“We understand that while the economy is on the mend, it’s still not easy for working families,’’ said Commissioner Mike Pries. “We know our residents are counting on us to find the best ways to deliver services without coming back to them for more money and that consideration is at the center of everything we do.’’

Careful financial planning and money saving efforts resulted in the county’s operating budget decreasing by 3.5 percent since 2013. The commissioners’ leadership in resolving Harrisburg’s financial crisis – allowing the county to stop paying $7 million annually to cover the city’s incinerator debt – accounts for much of the decrease.

Pries warned, however, of the rising cost to county taxpayers for funding the emergency 911 system.

“I’m hoping state lawmakers and our new governor will act this year to see that counties are reimbursed for the cost of providing this critical service,’’ Pries said. The system was originally set up to be supported through fees primarily levied on landlines, but as more people use only mobile devices the funding hasn’t kept pace.

“In 2015, we are spending $2.3 million to subsidize the system – without state action, the burden of paying for 911 will increasingly shift to property taxes,’’ Pries said. “It’s only fair to support 911 through fees on devices that can access the system.’’

Commissioner George P. Hartwick, III said the board never stops looking for ways to make the county run more efficiently. He cited the almost $10 million in savings since 2009 realized by self-insuring for health care and the $5 million in pension savings since 2012 achieved by looking at the retirement cost per employee rather than basing contributions on the plan as a whole.

“In everything we do, we emphasize best practices,’’ Hartwick said. “As this budget shows, we don’t shy away from making tough decisions needed to maximize our resources so we don’t have to go back to the taxpayers.’’

Included in the overall spending plan are $8 million in in grants and state and federal funding, including $4.6 million for flood damage relief; $1.3 million for 911 emergency dispatch system upgrades; and an additional $1 million from the state for repairing the Duke Street Bridge between South Hanover and Hummelstown.

The county’s millage rate under the 2015 budget will remain at 6.876 mills, meaning the owner of a home assessed at $100,000 will continue to pay $687.60 a year. To view the final budget for 2015, please visit http://www.DauphinCounty.org/budget

The following are among the steps taken by the commissioners to hold the line on taxes:

• Saving $4 million by eliminating 60 positions since 2012, mostly through attrition. Consolidating adult and juvenile probation in 2013 saved money both in equipment and training costs and also allowed the county to trim 15 positions, most of which were vacant. Since 2009, the annual growth in salary and benefits has been less than 1 percent.

• Close cooperation with the county courts and President Judge Todd A. Hoover resulted in an additional $300,000 in savings for 2015, much of it still a result of efficiencies realized by the probation consolidation.

• Contracting with the Nutrition Group, Inc. of York for the Area Agency on Aging’s meal preparation, which is projected to save $297,000 annually. The county distributes 165,000 meals annually to the county’s senior centers and through the Meals on Wheels program. Money saved will be used to support programs for seniors.

• Increasing the energy efficiency of county buildings under a $7 million contract with Constellation Energy, expected to save $10 million over 15 years. Between 2009 and 2013, the county saved $1.6 million in energy and water usage costs.
• Contracting with the nonprofit South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP) to provide weatherization services, which is expected to save $78,000 annually. SCCAP provides similar services in Adams, Franklin, Cumberland, York Counties and Harrisburg for area utility companies.

• Emphasizing community-based, family-oriented treatment options for juveniles that have reduced the number of youth in secure placements over the past four years by 60 percent, saving taxpayers $2.4 million. This approach allowed the county in 2010 to close its Schaffner Youth Center, saving an estimated $1.2 million annually.

• Saving an estimated $3.1 million over 10 years by buying 1100 S. Cameron St. in 2013 for $8.3 million rather than continuing to lease the facility for the county’s Drug and Alcohol Services.

• Selling the county’s Spring Creek Nursing Home in 2006, saving at least $5 million a year while ensuring beds for those in need remain available.

 

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