Walnutport adopts budget with half-mill increase

Walnutport residents will have to dole out a little more money to pay their municipal taxes next year.

On a 4-1 vote, with Councilwoman Patrice Hunsicker opposed, borough council on Thursday adopted the 2020 budget with a half-mill increase. Council members Harold Greene and Joan Rehrig were absent.

Council’s decision will raise the millage rate from 18.75 to 19.25 mills, which means that a homeowner with a home assessed at $50,000 will pay about $25 more to the borough next year in taxes.

Earlier this month, Councilwoman Jennifer Wentz presented council with a revised 2020 budget that showed scenarios for a 1-mill increase, half-mill increase or no millage increase.

Last month, council on a 6-1 vote agreed to advertise next year’s spending plan with a 1-mill increase.

Wentz previously said health insurance costs, along with wage increases, are among the borough’s largest expenses.

Last December, council unanimously adopted this year’s spending plan with no increase, which left the tax rate at 18.75 mills.