Nanticoke passes audit, holds tax line

NANTICOKE – The city's 2011 audit report of financial statements has been completed by Joe Aliciene, a certified public accountant from an independent auditing firm.

Aliciene told council Wednesday night the city has received a clean report and that it is in coordination with the standard fund balance. Aliciene added that everything is true and correct within the financial statement.

The 2013 draft budget has been submitted to council. Property tax millage will remain at 4.0534 for the upcoming year, with no property tax increase. The general fund budget is $4.9 million.

In other matters: council has passed a resolution to forgive taxes for New Horizons, a nonprofit entity, in the amount of $1,800. The request was submitted by the city's housing authority.

Council gave the first reading of an ordinance to ban tobacco on Patriot Square. Council President Steve Duda said there have been numerous complaints regarding the cigarette butts and the fact that very young people are smoking in the park. Duda further stated that council has to make it aggressive (so this can) happen for the kids. Duda also noted that cameras are being used in the park in order to monitor the activity.

The pedestrian bridge at the municipal building is nearly complete, with only minor finishing details left. As well, the road work at Union and Prospect streets has been completed. The Public Works Department has utilized 12 tons of asphalt the patch pot holes within the city's streets.