Lackawanna launches into budget fight

“If you are unhappy with the proposed tax diversion of nearly 24%, I strongly suggest you contact your city councilors and let them know that if taxes are increased, they can say goodbye to their seats at the next election! ” one resident wrote on Facebook.

The proposed increase prompted one resident, Lynette Sikorski, to start a Change.Org petition to challenge the increase. More than 1,100 people had signed it as of Wednesday.

“This is absolutely crazy. Cut your costs instead of taxing the people. Government is supposed to serve We the People. This proposal shows a group of failed leaders in Lackawanna. Especially now with the inflation we are all burdened with” , wrote a signatory. .

“It would be shameful to raise taxes that much in Lackawanna. I bought a house in 2010 and since then taxes have increased over 100%. Now you want it for another 23.6%. Is it a message for us Los Angeles residents from are you thinking about moving from Lackawanna???” another wrote.

The City Council has scheduled a meeting for Thursday at 5:30 p.m. to consider exceeding the 2% tax levy increase limit. The Council would also consider an ordinance approving the mayor’s budget proposal with a tax levy of $15.85 million.

Mayor Annette Iafallo’s proposed $34.06 million budget would increase spending by 2.2 percent, while the tax levy would exceed the tax cap by 21 percentage points.

The tax rate would increase to $20.53 per $1,000, up 22.5%. The owner of a house valued at $100,000 would see his municipal taxes increase by $348 next year.

“The proposed budget reflects essential and prudent spending management,” Iafallo wrote in the budget highlights she sent to Council members on May 24.

The proposed budget also provides negotiated wage increases of 3.5% for union workers.

The mayor’s salary would increase by 3.5% to $88,053. Council President Frederic J. Marrano’s salary would increase by $5,000, or 30 percent, to $21,500. Police and fire salaries would increase 9 percent to $123,500 and the city attorney would earn $150,000, a 34.6 percent increase.

The budget reflects a $3.5 million decrease in federal and state aid and appropriated fund balances, as well as a decrease in revenue from property sales of $527,000.

The Council may approve the proposed budget as presented, modify or reject the budget. If the Council makes changes to the budget, the mayor can accept or veto them, and the Council could consider the mayor’s written objections.