Lower taxes, higher sewer fee in offing

Taxes in Scott are proposed to be 3 percent lower in the new year, but residents may have to reach into their wallets to deal with another increase.

The sewer user rate is set to double from $1.50 to $3 per every 1,000 gallons used.

Commissioners on Tuesday voted 5-4 to advertise the new sewer user fee and the 2019 preliminary budget.

William Wells, David Calabria, Paul Abel, Frank Bruckner and David G. Calabria II voted for the sewer user fee increase. Donald Giudici, Thomas Castello, Stacey Altman and Eileen Myers voted no.

The sewer fee increase will help to pay for the township’s $1.4 million sewer project, which includes line upgrades and replacements.

“This spreads the cost of the sewer fee across everyone,” Mr. Wells said.

He said property taxes would have to be increased by 1.4 mills, or $140 per every $100,000 of assessed property value, if the sewer fee is not increased.

Mr. Wells pointed out that on average, homes in Scott put 4,000 to 5,000 gallons of water down their drains per month, which before the proposed increase is $6 to $7.50 per month, or $72 to $90 per year.

With the new fee, residents using 4,000 gallons of sewage would pay about $12 per month, or $144 per year. Those using 5,000 gallons per month would pay $15 per month, or $180 per year.

Mr. Wells said the fee will be paid by everyone, not just property owners. Those who rent an apartment in Scott also would be subject to the fee increase. “It equalizes it among everybody,” he said.

Mr. Wells added that the decrease in the millage rate, which is 0.159 mills, will help offset the impact of the increase in the sewer usage fee.

The tax decrease would lower millage to 5.171 from 5.33, meaning municipal taxes would go from $533 per every $100,000 of assessed value to $517.

Commissioners voted 5-4 to advertise the $12.5 million 2019 budget with the 0.159mill decrease with Mr. Wells, Mr. Calabria, Mr. Abel, Mr. Bruckner and Mr. Calabria II voting yes. Mr. Giudici, Mr. Castello, Ms. Altman and Ms. Myers voted no.

Before voting on that motion, Mr. Castello made a motion to remove the 0.159 millage reduction.

“Sewer usage is higher than we think,” he said.

Mr. Castello’s motion failed, 5-4 with Mr. Castello, Mr. Giudici, Ms. Altman and Ms. Myers voting in favor of removing the millage reduction. Mr. Wells, Mr. Calabria, Mr. Abel, Mr. Bruckner and Mr. Calabria II voted no.