Good news for Dauphin County residents. On Wednesday, Commissioners approved next year’s general fund budget without a tax increase for the eighth consecutive year.
The budget sets spending at nearly $193 million. That’s $6 million less than the current year budget.
Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick III, said the ability to reach a budget that high his because of people who work for the County. “We set the goal of about $4 million. I had in the back of my mind $5.5 million. But the ability for us to reach $6.1 million is a credit to the employees of the county.”
The commissioners said they made some difficult decisions, including the elimination of 17 full-time positions. And an additional 25 positions will be phased out in the first six months of the new year. Savings include not only salaries, but the cost of medical benefits and pension payments. Twelve new employee positions that were requested were denied.
Commission Chairman Jeff Haste says he and his colleagues listened to their neighbors and constituents. “We’re not like the folks at a higher level of government that can do whatever they do and not have to deal with their neighbors. We see these folks in the grocery store, and we understand what they’re saying, and we understand they do not want a tax increase and that was our goal this year and that was what we were able to deliver to our taxpayers.”
As for wages, union employees will receive an average 3.5% increase. Others will receive a 2% pay raise. Another major expense is a $9 million payment to the county’s pension fund.
What Dauphin County commissioners did is virtually unheard of in government, adopting a spending plan that is less than the current budget.
Department reorganizations are planned for next year to further cut spending.
The budget sets spending at nearly $193 million. That’s $6 million less than the current year budget.
Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick III, said the ability to reach a budget that high his because of people who work for the County. “We set the goal of about $4 million. I had in the back of my mind $5.5 million. But the ability for us to reach $6.1 million is a credit to the employees of the county.”
The commissioners said they made some difficult decisions, including the elimination of 17 full-time positions. And an additional 25 positions will be phased out in the first six months of the new year. Savings include not only salaries, but the cost of medical benefits and pension payments. Twelve new employee positions that were requested were denied.
Commission Chairman Jeff Haste says he and his colleagues listened to their neighbors and constituents. “We’re not like the folks at a higher level of government that can do whatever they do and not have to deal with their neighbors. We see these folks in the grocery store, and we understand what they’re saying, and we understand they do not want a tax increase and that was our goal this year and that was what we were able to deliver to our taxpayers.”
As for wages, union employees will receive an average 3.5% increase. Others will receive a 2% pay raise. Another major expense is a $9 million payment to the county’s pension fund.
What Dauphin County commissioners did is virtually unheard of in government, adopting a spending plan that is less than the current budget.
Department reorganizations are planned for next year to further cut spending.