LP supervisors mulling possible tax hike

Lower Paxton Township officials are trying to close a $530,000 gap in next year's budget, and they will hold a workshop session this evening to crunch the numbers in search of answers.

There was talk of a property-tax hike earlier this month. The rate hike discussed would ratchet up taxes for a property in the township valued at $200,000 by $34, increasing the total bill to $209 from $175, according to The Patriot-News.

Township staffers, led by manager George Wolfe, have done a great job keeping the tax rate level for several years, but the down economy and limited new construction are apparently forcing their hands this time around.

Developing story ...

Lower Paxton watchdog, 12.17.08

Headlines from Tuesday night’s business meeting conducted by the Lower Paxton Twp. Board of Supervisors …

* The 2009 general operating budget of just over $18 million that retains the current property tax rate was unanimously approved. Board Chairman Bill Hawk praised the township's administrative staff for making the necessary cuts to stave off a tax hike.

A proposed fee for township-based youth sports groups to reserve space in parks for practices and games was cut from the final version of the budget. The supervisors most likely will revisit the issue next year, said township manager George Wolfe.

* Megan Stine, a lifeguard at Friendship Center, was honored for saving the life of a youngster who nearly drowned in the center’s indoor pool.

* In an item related to the Linglestown improvement project, an agreement with a price tag of over $68,000 was approved for the project’s engineering firm, Arora and Associates, P.C., to do work related to condemnation of properties.

No-tax-hike LP budget nearly official

The property tax rate assessed by Lower Paxton Twp. is slated to stay right where it is next year, according to a news brief filed by T.W. Burger of The Patriot-News.

Township administrators closed the budget gap during the last week from about $184,000 to just over $3,000, which is a miniscule amount in a $18.5 million spending plan.

The township's 2009 budget will be officially adopted next Tuesday during the Board of Supervisors meeting.

LP landowners likely to dodge tax hike in '09

Proposed budget calls for youth sports teams to pay field reservation fees.

By Bill Bostic
of Linglestown Gazette

Although the 2009 budget for Lower Paxton Township is still a work in progress, it appears to be a safe bet that property owners won't get hit with a tax hike next year.

Township administrators are trying to close a budget gap of about $184,000, which is down from a projected $482,000 deficit two weeks ago. In lieu of a tax hike, the township most likely would use surplus funds to balance the budget.

There's a good chance that the township's ability to slice and dice various departmental expenses and improvement projects to stave off a tax hike probably won't go beyond 2009. Township supervisors cited the nation’s economic crisis as the main reason they are unlikely to pull the trigger on a tax hike next year.

“If we're going to hold anything, this is the year to hold it,” said Bill Hawk, chairman of the board of supervisors, during a budget workshop meeting last Tuesday.

Even with the cuts, township manager George Wolfe told the township supervisors that the $23 million spending plan would keep municipal operations “status quo.”

The final version of the township's 2009 budget probably will be adopted during the board meeting on Dec. 16. Township residents can review the preliminary budget at the Municipal Center from 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.

Below are a selection of issues discussed during the meeting held last week:

● The Parks and Recreation Department plans to generate $32,000 next year by charging a daily fee of $5.50 for youth sports groups to reserve a field for a practice or a game. The fee, which is half the current cost that adult groups are charged to reserve a field, would offset maintenance costs and hopefully prevent fields from going unused by groups that reserved them, said supervisor David Blain.

● Construction of a skate park at George Park won't happen in 2009 because the township did not receive a $250,000 state grant needed to fund the project.

● A decision is pending on whether to delay hiring a police officer to fill an open position.
____

Other good stuff to know …

● The township's property tax rate is tiny compared to those charged by Central Dauphin School District and Dauphin County.

● A big chunk of revenue that the township receives comes from a local earned income tax and a $52-per-year local services tax.

● Last year the township raised the property-tax rate for the first time since 1990.

Patriot-News: CD faces tough budget decisions

Tough economic times could force Central Dauphin School Board to consider some serious and painful possibilities, ranging from closing an elementary school to increasing some class sizes to corral costs, according to a story penned by Patriot-News crack beat reporter T.W. Burger.

In a related issue mentioned on Linglestown Gazette yesterday, board member Christian Malesic offered a no-tax-increase amendment, but it failed by a 5-3 vote, with Malesic, Justin McShane, and Michael Brehm voting in favor.

Also as mentioned on this blog Monday, the board approved an energy audit of the district's 19 buildings.

Check back later for more stuff on other topics ...
____

Hat tip to Malesic for calling me Monday with a preview of key agenda items. I had forgotten that last night's meeting was on this week's government meeting schedule.

CD school board to discuss taxes

The Central Dauphin School Board is slated to act tonight on a state-mandated referendum that would cap next school year’s property tax hike at 4.1 percent.

Like last year, an amendment for a no-tax-increase budget is likely to be offered tonight, said board member Christian Malesic. He is unsure if the amendment will pass this time around.

"One thing working in the district's favor right now for holding the line on taxes is falling energy and fuel prices," Malesic said.

The board’s finance committee is working on developing a proposed budget for the 2009-2010 school year. Formal review of a preliminary budget by the full school board won’t get under way until May.

On a related issue, the board will discuss and possibly approve an energy savings program recommended by Honeywell. If approved, Honeywell technicians would evaluate the district’s transportation and building operations for ways to reduce costs associated with fuel, electricity, water and trash disposal.

Dauphin County Technical School on Locust Lane retained Honeywell to reduce energy costs, Malesic said.

The board meeting will begin at 7 pm in the Lecture Hall of Central Dauphin East High School. The public is welcome to attend.
___

To review the agenda, go to the board’s Web site – the tax and Honeywell proposals are located under agenda item “New Business.” (Click the + sign to the left of meeting date 10/27/2008, and then click + signs located beside agenda items to review issues that will be discussed.)

Backyard news, 10.08.08

* The Lower Paxton Twp. supervisors Tuesday night approved a preliminary plan for the 318-unit Shadebrook housing development located north of Union Deposit Road near Nyes Road. The planned community will have the look and feel of a traditional village. It will feature a Main Street with commercial space and green areas. The technical term for this type of development is traditional development neighborhood, or TND. Before the project can break ground, the developer, Cider Press Associates, needs to obtain approval from the township for a final plan, which is a detailed construction plan. (Background info on LP adopting TND as an option for housing communities.)

Also Tuesday night, the supervisors hired Berkheimer Associates to collect earned income taxes starting in 2009, replacing Capital Tax Collection Bureau.

* You never know where Lower Paxton Twp. resident Eric Epstein will pop up. Eric is the chairman of community watchdog group SWAN and is known statewide as an activist on political, environmental and nuclear power issues. His latest project is a new blog called Capital Domes that is being sponsored by Central Penn Business Journal. (Hat tip to DRM for submitting this item.)

* The prize package for the Mowing Contest that ends Nov. 1 grew larger today thanks to Gwen Robbins, a loyal Gazette reader and owner of Commonwealth Printing and Promotions. Gwen chipped in a tote bag that is loaded with cool items. Thanks much!

There are few more slots available for other businesses to grab some free publicity by contributing a prize. Send an e-mail to B² to be part of the action.

The count is at 26 and the next mowing isn't too far away.

Backyard news links, 08.12.08

Updated at 10:25 am ...

* More on yesterday's house fire on Catherine Street in Linglestown; Linglestown Gazette had on-the-scene coverage thanks to contributor Kim Mumper.

It sounds like the family who suffered the loss of their home has received an outpouring of help to begin the long journey to regain normalcy in their lives.

A restoration contractor was at the home Monday by noon, boarded the windows, pumped out the three feet of water in the basement and put a huge tarp over the whole house. The building is concrete block under siding, so once they clear out the fire debris, if the block walls are sound, they can rebuild. The contractor said they could do the restoration in four months if all goes well.

Happily the family's cat survived with minor injuries and was treated by a vet.

– Hat tip to Gazette contributor Jay Mumper for passing along the above update.

* CD band gives back. (Story includes a video report.)

* Sad story of newborn's death in LP. The preliminary hearing for this case is scheduled for Sept. 19 before District Judge Joseph Lindsey, according to LP police. Background info

* CD school board picks Berkheimer to collect earned income taxes.
____
This post will be updated through the day as items from outside sources are spotted.

CD school board meets tonight

The board will meet at 7 pm tonight at the Lecture Hall of Central Dauphin East High School. CLICK HERE to review the agenda. (To view the agenda, click on the plus sign for 8/11/08, and then click on the plus signs to get details about specific agenda items.)

There is one tax issue that will be discussed under New Business – The Administration is recommending the appointment of Berkheimer Tax Administrator as the Earned Income Tax Administrator for the Central Dauphin School District. If approved, Berkheimer would start collecting the two-percent tax starting Jan. 1, 2009. If you're not up to speed on this issue, check out this Gazette post for some background info.

Local tax bureau seeks new chief

Click the headline above for a brief about the latest development with troubled Capital Tax Collection Bureau, the agency that Lower Paxton Twp. and Central Dauphin schools recently gave the boot.

CLICK HERE for background on this story and other local tax issues.

CD throws new twist into paying taxes

If you live in Lower Paxton Twp., you should have received by now a postcard (pictured) from CD School District asking you not to send school property-tax payments to Diane Bair, LP's elected tax collector, but to a post office box in Bethlehem. T.W. Burger, Patriot-News beat reporter for LP and CD schools, did a good job explaining what’s happening in today’s edition.

The change throws a few more moving parts into paying property taxes – school property-tax payments go to a post office box in Bethlehem, and Diane Bair will continue to collect payments for township and county property taxes.

The school district having to come up with a creative way to get tax dollars sooner is proof that the system for collecting local taxes in Pennsylvania needs to be put out to pasture. Electing citizens to collect taxes no longer works in many places, like LP.

Some help is on the way though. Gov. Ed Rendell signed into law a bill today that will eliminate most local tax collectors for local earned income taxes – that's the 2 percent local tax on paychecks for LP residents. In a typical move by state lawmakers, the deadline for implementing the new setup for collecting wage taxes isn't until January 2012, according to an article published by a Chambersburg paper (scroll down to bottom of article). Unfortunately, the new law does not address the collection of school property taxes.

Linglestown gets artsy

The back room of The Linglestown Chocolate Cafe was converted into an art gallery Wednesday to display the work of David Russell (pictured, right side of photo), a Lower Paxton Twp. resident who served as a combat artist for the Army National Guard. The event was organized by the Lower Paxton Township Arts Council.

I attended the open house with my daughter and enjoyed the wide variety of subjects that David captured in his paintings. After getting home, I realized that I’d met David a few times at St. Thomas Roasters and a couple times at church – but I didn’t know his last name.

If you didn’t attend, CLICK HERE to view a slide show of David’s work courtesy of WGAL TV-8.

Koons Pool update … Gazette reader Gail Reece of Delectably Yours Home Interiors & Decor submitted an update on what's happening (or not happening) with the pool:

I called the township today for additional information and they still do not know when it will open and there are no guarantees it will. It's a sad day. We were looking so forward to the pool again this year.

Mixed bag of nuts … If you love dogs like I do, you may want to participate in a capital campaign planned by the Humane Society of Harrisburg. … Now, a brief civics lesson – CLICK HERE to learn what happens when local governments don’t get tax payments on a timely basis. This is a problem that Lower Paxton Twp. and CD schools have experienced with Capital Tax Collection Bureau, resulting in the bureau getting the boot. … Time for another Q-tip – Sutliff has closed its sales location that was located in front of the Gander Mountain sporting goods store. … CD East and CD high schools held graduation ceremonies this week. … The rain must have come down in buckets last night. I slept through the storm and awoke to the sound of my sump pump running.

Linglestown, LP, CD news you can use

*** Updated 6/3/08 at 3:30 pm with information on a proposal to change Lower Paxton Township's noise ordinance. (See second paragraph under "Government watchdog" section.)

Government watchdog ...

* Lower Paxton Township supervisors will conduct a regular business meeting at Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Township Municipal Center, 425 Prince Street. Comcast cable subscribers can view a live broadcast of the meeting on channel 20. CLICK HERE to view meeting agendas.

One agenda item of note deals with a proposal to amend the township’s noise ordinance – CLICK HERE to review the section that will be discussed – see Section 505 on page 15. According to a report filed by Stray Winds Area Neighbors member Watson Fisher, the proposal stems from a neighborhood dispute over loud noises from an automobile engine and car radio. The resident who has been taking heat for the noise filed a request that calls for an increase in the allowable noise levels in residential areas. The township Planning Commission has recommended that the proposed amendment not be approved by the township supervisors.

* The township Parks and Recreation Board will meet Wednesday, June 4 at Friendship Center.

I’ve heard through the grapevine about a couple recreational needs related to Koons Park: (1) The full-sized baseball field is being used by a whopping six teams – sounds like there’s a big need for a new field to be constructed somewhere in the area of the village, and (2) portable toilets or a new permanent restroom facility are needed to eliminate long walks to take care of potty duties from fields in the outer reaches of the park, especially for T-ball players at the field next to the pool.

* If you’ve been following the controversy with Capital Tax Collection Bureau, CLICK HERE and HERE to get up to speed on the latest happenings.

The bureau collects the 2-percent earned income tax that is deducted from paychecks and paid by township residents who are self-employed. LP and CD school officials recently voted to seek a new tax collection bureau.

Bottom line on this issue: Capital Tax has been accused of getting tax dollars to local governments far too slowly as compared to the service provided by other tax-collection operations. The delayed money transfers hurt average Joes like me because LP and CD lose interest earnings on the dollars sitting in the tax bureau’s bank accounts, a situation that could contribute to a future tax hike.

Gazette updates … I’m gearing up to expand the scope of coverage for Linglestown Gazette. To reflect this lofty goal, I changed the slogan located at the top of the blog to read “News and happenings for Linglestown, Lower Paxton Twp. and CD schools.” … Also, be sure to check out the new scrolling announcements in the Twitter box located in the sidebar.

CD East meeting … Here’s the first tidbit about CD East High School to appear on the blog – CD East parents will meet to discuss issues related to the high school this Wednesday, June 4 at 7 pm in the high school auditorium.

Source: Lower Paxton forum on PennLive.com (See string #156)

L.P. likely to hire new tax bureau

Local officials are trying to make sure taxes deducted from workers’ paychecks get to the right place at the right time at the lowest cost.

By Bill Bostic

Lower Paxton Township supervisors huddled Tuesday afternoon at the township’s Municipal Center with officials from Central Dauphin School District and other municipalities served by the district to discuss earned income tax collection.

The current tax bureau, Capital Tax Collection Bureau, has been in hot water for about two years for allegedly providing shoddy service and not fully responding to requests to validate its work. Capital Tax is a non-profit agency that serves 74 local governments and school districts in the Harrisburg region.

The meeting was a rambling conversation with participants rehashing the pros and cons of working with Capital Tax, which has collected earned income taxes since 2001 when it merged with Central Dauphin Earned Income Tax Office. Several officials expressed no confidence in the way Capital Tax is being operated, interjecting the phrase “at the end of the day” numerous times while making various and sundry points about the bureau.

CD informally took a leadership role in the situation when the school board recently voted to leave Capital Tax at the end of the year.

Ideally, CD and the municipalities would use the same tax collection service to reduce the number of tax-dollar transfers between bureaus, but it appears unlikely that will happen.

Paxtang, Pennbrook and West Hanover Township have voted to stay with Capital Tax, while Lower Paxton, Swatara and Middle Paxton townships have not yet voted on the issue. Municipalities need to inform Capital Tax by June 30 if they want to drop its services at the end of this year.

CD officials expressed a willingness to work with the municipalities in seeking proposals from other tax collection services. Officials for Lower Paxton and Swatara townships indicated that they are moving in a direction to work with the school district in the search process.

Lower Paxton Township Supervisor David Blain (pictured) said Central Tax Bureau of PA and Berkheimer Tax Administrator, two for-profit operations, appear to have lower fees and superior operations than Capital Tax.

Blain, who has been the point person for the township in dealings with Capital Tax, urged officials who are planning to stick with Capital Tax to investigate other tax collecion services.

Capital Tax lacks the technology to efficiently do the job over the long haul, he said.

Developing story …

Lower Paxton Township update

* The Lower Paxton Twp. supervisors will conduct a workshop meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, May 13 at 4:00 pm, and a special business meeting at 6:30 pm to discuss and act on solid waste and recyclables collection bids. Both meetings will be held at the Municipal Center, 425 Prince Street. CLICK HERE to view meeting agendas.

The most interesting item on the agenda for the 4 pm meeting is a discussion with Central Dauphin School District on tax-collection services provided by the embattled Capital Tax Collection Bureau (CTCB). Local governments throughout the Harrisburg area are concerned that CTCB isn't divvying up local tax dollars in an efficient and accurate way.

CD school board has voted to can CTCB, and now Lower Paxton Twp. and other municipalities have to decide if they are going to follow the school district's lead. Last week West Hanover Township decided to continue working with CTCB.

The school district and municipalities using different collection services could make an already complicated process even harder to manage, in my opinion.

Problems with tax collection are being experienced statewide – not surprising when you consider that Pennsylvania has 501 public school districts and over 1,500 municipalities. The Patriot-News editorial board today gave its take on the best way for Pennsylvania to streamline the collection of local earned income taxes.

Developing story ...

* The Lower Paxton Township Authority last week voted to seek bids for a sewer-line project along Linglestown Road on the eastern side of the village. Last summer the township's consulting engineer estimated the repairs would cost over $500,000.

Linglestown church does YouTube

Linglestown Life is on YouTube! The church's series, Jesus on Trial, a video/drama/sermon message, is now available online. (Click the Jesus on Trial logo on this post to go to the church's YouTube page.) The Jesus on Trial series is a provocative look at how Jesus is placed on trial in everyday life. The series can be experienced live Sundays at the 8 am, 9:30 am, and 11 am services through Palm Sunday, March 16. The trial will end on Good Friday, March 21, during the evening service at 7:00 pm.

Things and stuff department …

* Signs vandalized in Linglestown area. CLICK HERE for details, and HERE for a map that shows the crime location.

* Music at St. Thomas Roasters on Friday night, Feb. 29, will feature Paul Zavinksy, 8 pm, no cover.

* CD School District may ditch besieged Capital Tax Collection Bureau. CLICK HERE for the story from The Patriot-News that includes comments from school board member Justin McShane and other local officials.

* Keep an eye out for this low-budget presidential hopeful. He was spotted this week in Chambersburg. CLICK HERE to check out one of his YouTube videos that were produced in Pennsylvania.

CD sports update …

* CD Rams ice hockey team topped Hempfield 8-2 to reach the CPIHL playoff semifinals, where they will meet Lower Dauphin.

* Three members of the Rams girls’ basketball team have been named to the Mid-Penn Conference Commonwealth Division All-Star Team – Alyssa Thomas (First Team); Lindsey Meyer (Second Team); Gabby Singer (Honorable Mention).

Welcome to Tax-sylvania

According to The Patriot-News, Pennsylvania is No. 1 for tax collectors. The state has a whopping 560 local wage tax collectors, including the embattled Capital Tax Collection Bureau (CTCB) that serves the Linglestown area and many other towns and school districts in the Harrisburg region.

CLICK HERE to read about legislation proposed to modernize and streamline the state’s earned income tax-collection procedure.

For the latest murmurings about CTCB, CLICK HERE for a story by beat reporter Diana Fishlock, and HERE for an editorial by the newspaper’s editorial board. Central Dauphin School Board member Justin McShane is mentioned in both items.

I think lawmakers should also work on reforming the way local property taxes are collected. Having tax collectors in every municipality seems to be another government procedure from the horse-and-buggy era.

Other news …

* CLICK HERE for the Linglestown Middle School’s honor roll for the second marking period.

* There’s a great get-away location a few miles from Linglestown in the Fishing Creek Valley – Felicita Resort. The resort’s owner, Harrisburg attorney Richard Angino, is seeking approval to build 40 "golf rental villas."

Tuesday tidbits

* On the floor of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Rep. Ron Marsico today recognized the Central Dauphin High School girls' soccer team for being crowned state co-champions last spring.


* Today’s The Patriot-News has a disturbing editorial about the culture at the tax collection bureau that serves residents in the Linglestown area and other communities in the Harrisburg region. Kudos to CD school director Justin McShane (pictured) for taking a stand for taxpayers.

Monday menagerie

CD sports 'Ram tough' … CD Rams wrestling makes history with five picks on The Patriot-News Big 14, and eight was great for CD grapplers Saturday at the New Oxford Invitational Wrestling Tournament.

CD Rams girls b-ballers well-balanced attack was unkind Saturday to Altoona. The Lady Rams are one win away from wrapping up a division title.

CD schools due refund from tax bureau ... Central Dauphin and eight other school districts will receive payments for overcharges and interest totaling $241,435 from the Capital Tax Collection Bureau on Friday. CLICK HERE for details from today’s The Patriot-News.

Crime watch ... Police are seeking tips on a fast-working crook that ripped off a Christian bookstore, other businesses.

Lower Paxton Township Police Department asks for help in tracking down two persons who were going door-to-door offering carpet cleaning services. If you have info, call the police at 657-5656 or the department's anonymous tip line at 635-2606

Day tripin’ to DC ... I spent Saturday in the nation’s capital taking in a photo exhibit – my teenage daughter is an aspiring photographer. Travel into the big city was made easy by taking a Metro train from Shady Grove, Md., which is about a two-hour drive from Linglestown. CLICK HERE for map to the transit station.

Ripped over tax hike

In a letter to the editor in today's Patriot-News, a Lower Paxton Township resident goes ballistic over the tax hike recently enacted by the township.

I'm sure the paper's editors published the letter because the guy rips into elected officials, especially Bill Hornung. It seems a bit over the top since the increase is the first one since 1990 and most property owners will pay less than an extra buck a week for local services.

CLICK HERE for more info on the tax hike.

Other news:

Linglestown Baseball Association will supply the Gazette with youth baseball scores during the upcoming season; State Rep. Ron Marsico has issued a weekly roundup; A new YouTube video from BB Productions features scenes from Linglestown – CLICK HERE to view it. (The story is an inside family joke, but it's probably worth a few yuks for non-family members.)