Borough budget passes, Mayoral veto likely

PALMER — Borough taxpayers will pay slightly more this year than they did last year, though the exact size of the increase is still unknown.

The mill rate eventually passed after a four-hour session of budget negotiations stands at 9.984 — about a 3 percent increase from the previous mill rate.

The new rate means the owner of a property assessed at $200,000 would pay $1,996.80 toward the area-wide portion of the borough property tax per year.

Compared year-to-year, that’s about $5.37 more in taxes this year than last.

Among the budget highlights are:

• An increase to 2.75 mills for the Willow Fire Service Area passed as is. Mayor Larry DeVilbiss has in the past questioned whether the mill rate is reasonable given statements made by supporters and the size of the Willow tax base. Supporters generally say life without the increase is dangerous. Opponents generally say the amount is too high, or that it should be put before the voters, or that the money won’t give residents exactly what they want.

• The Mat-Su Borough school system will receive funds to compensate for cuts at the state level amounting to a $1.388-million increase, and will be able to retain $10 million in a fund balance.

• The Assembly added eight emergency medical possessions for a total increase of $905,000. The ambulance service also received $540,000 in additional funding for repairs to aging ambulances.

• The Valley’s SART team, which community and crimes groups have honored for its role in aiding victims of sexual assault, will receive $150,000, as will Youth Court.

• The borough checkbook will now be kept online, allowing the public to view expenditures.

DeVilbiss has until Wednesday to issue a veto.

The next regular assembly meeting is set for Wednesday. The assembly needs five votes to overturn the veto.

Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the meeting date and the number of votes needed to overturn a mayoral veto.