For the 19th year in a row, Easton Mayor Sal Panto has proposed a budget for next year that includes no increase in property taxes. But there will be fee increases.
Trash collection will go up $2 per month on residential. Parking meter charges in "prime" areas will go up to $3 an hour and $2.75 an hour elsewhere. The parking garage will cost $2.50 per hour.
Parking permits will go up with a charge of $175 per year for downtown residents with one car, $225 for a second car and $275 for three or more cars.
City Council will conduct at least four budget hearings to review Panto's spending plan.
According to Lehigh Valley News, Panto plans to borrow to keep the pension fund in the green while awaiting an actual state budget.
27 comments:
Temporary borrowing until the Democrat Shutdown concludes is a good decision.
Sal is a good man, but these user fee increases are typical smoke and mirrors.
19 years. A fine record, but not sustainable. What can you get today for the same price you got it 2 centuries ago?
Why so late with today’s article?
Was it because of the government shutdown (federal and PA)?
Best. Mayor. Ever. Mayor-to-be Pintabone will inherit a cake job.
Panto is also going to tax us (workers at the Courthouse/Government center) an 8% tax on our wages. Why doesn't the County move out of Easton and relocate at Gracedale or somewhere else where we aren't penalized this way. There are plenty of Communities that would love to have us and wouldn't take advantage of the work force the way Panto does. Many of our jobs could be moved. I understand the County must conduct all their business (legislative) in Easton (The County Seat) however, everything else can be moved out of Easton. We spend a lot of money downtown and the lunch trade would probably fold, but until Panto starts treating us with respect, we should look for other alternatives.
The Easton city leaders have forgotten about the residents who voted for them. They only worry about the folks with New York license plates. Look around downtown Easton. Plenty of empty storefronts. This is because of the already high parking meter rates. The average blue collar Easton resident is not going to go downtown for something like pizza when they have to put three dollars in the meter. The only bright spot that I see is that many of those miserable leeches who have been in Pantos city hall cabinet could loose their jobs when a new mayor comes in as they have no job security.
You're in a cult yunno. Which political party controls the 3 branches of the federal government? tRump is on his way to the biggest bankruptcy of his life!
And raise taxes the first year and blame it on Sal.
He can't raise property taxes and never could, as Easton is maxed out per state law. Fees are vicious flat taxes that hit lower income residents hardest. To be clear, he's absolutely raising taxes, which he's done again and again and again.
Please no---There are better choices
Agree -- That will make people happy that go to Easton for the restrauants etc. Especially with the parking the way it is now and the planning commission approving more and more with no parking or limited parking.
Is this in the budget?
Where are you getting 8%? I see it online as 1% had to look because 8 seemed insane
Over the years, there could have been incremental smaller tax increases to help all of Easton residents, so in the near future there wouldn’t be one big increase.
Ah, 9:55 AM. To pass most Bills requires 60 votes in the Senate. The Republicans might occupy the most Senate seats, but the Republicans do not occupy 60 seats. Read up!
If the developer provides the required parking, the Planning Commission has no legal standing not to approve the project.
Name one developments in the past two years that didn’t provide the required minimum parking that was passed?
That’s absolutely false.
Parking fees are way too much now and downtown Easton hasn't been worth visiting anyway since the Eric closed, Perkins closed (best service ever!), and the 12 lane bowling alley closed.
It is 1%, I live in Nazareth and work in Easton so I pay it also. So before you ask for the county to move from Easton to Gracedale maybe you better think how much your county taxes would increase from to build all new buildings to house all the offices that would move. I think our 1% would be a lot less.
Is this roverfan kinda sounds like him
I will never go to Easton for dinner you have to give yourself 30 - 45 minutes just to find a place to park. Before your reservation, besides the cost to park, you have to watch the parking nazi’s
Far from it. The maximum rate is 30 mills, increased from 25. The legislature also removed maximum rates for home rule municipalities. And, never were mills dedicated to debt service included in calculations of maximum User fees are always appropriate instead of broad based property taxes.
Ken Brown would be an outstanding replacement for mayor Panto. Pintabone is a terrible choice and would turn the city into shit
You need 60 votes. 3 dems have crossed, others are close because they know the Schumer shutdown is all about the left wing controlling Schumer.
Or just eat it
Thanks for the explanation Sal
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