No ’10 tax increase in Laflin

LAFLIN – Borough officials Thursday gave a first reading to a 2010 budget that holds taxes and fees at current levels but still spends $5,000 less this year’s budget.

The $859,628 budget predicts $467,509 from real estate and earned income taxes, and the other $392,119 from all other sources, such as the state liquid fuels reimbursements and various other payments.

Council had originally predicted a $15,000 difference between revenue and spending, but members realized after reviewing figures that the earned income tax revenues were excessively conservative based on current numbers.

In other business, council also named council President Thomas Parry and Vice President Scott Seeherman as representatives to a combined Pittston City-Luzerne-Yatesville committee designed to explore areas of future cooperation.

The idea had been around for some time and is worth pursing, Parry fellow council members.

Council members noted that state representatives had indicated money was dwindling for small localized projects, and the larger projects would likely get the bulk of available state money in future years.

The municipalities involved are becoming aware of the need to work together, Seeherman said.

Police Chief Michael Flanagan said the police department supported council on this issue.

Flanagan also noted that department had been involved in a project to share departmental information. The 14-municipality project was looking for funding from the gambling revenue funds from the casino in Monroe County, he said.