Public comment portion of meeting underway. Former Ethics Board Chair Joan Hodowanitz asks about status of 2018 #Scranton annual audit. Councilwoman Dempsey says council obtained a confidential preliminary audit and will meet in public caucus with audit firm Monday at 5:15 p.m.
Les Spindler, Scranton resident, is next up. He shares kind words for longtime city Controller Roseann Novembrino, who died last week. Spindler is also critical of Mayor Wayne Evans' Thursday State of the City Address, arguing Evans exaggerated achievements. #Scranton
Fired Licensing, Inspections and Permits Director Pat Hinton, addressing council, accuses members - Kyle Donahue specifically - of "slandering my name and discrediting me." He defends his record as director & blasts officials for trying to tie him to corruption in #Scranton
Rogan denies that he ever bashed the LIPs Department, says he can't speak for other members. Hinton says Evans' firing of him was naive, cowardly and a hypocritical act. Hinton says he was one of the only people pushing back against Courtright's corruption ...
(Continued) He says he raised concerns with the city's law department and was ignored. "I tried to make big changes in that office ... disrupting the status quo." He says Courtright and David Bulzoni, business administrator, pressured him (unclear what that means). #Scranton
Resident Fay Franus heads to the podium to thank Councilwoman Mary Walsh Dempsey for her work these past months. Dempsey was appointed to Evans' vacant seat in the late summer, and has been working for the city and its residents ever since, Dempsey said. #Scranton
Resident Marie Schumacher says the administration's proposal to fold the city's garbage fee into property tax bills is unfair. Pro argument is that more would pay, as property tax collection rate is higher. Critics argue it would spread the fee to those not using trash service.
Resident Marie Jefferies, responding to a past speakers criticism of the #Scranton School District (criticism was mainly over high taxes but veered off track) notes the School Notes section of the @timestribune that highlights local students' achievements.
@timestribune Public comment over. Donahue defends his criticism of the LIPs department in response to Hinton's earlier comments. "Whether you knew or not (about Courtright's play-to-play scheme), you were responsible for that office. That was your responsibility," Donahue says to Hinton.
@timestribune Donahue and Gaughan both share praises for longtime Controller Roseann Novembrino, who passed away last week. "We lost somebody who I think was one of the best people and most well-respected people in this building," Gaughan says. #Scranton
@timestribune Councilwoman Mary Walsh Dempsey expresses her disgust at comments made earlier in the night by resident Ron Ellman. The freewheeling comments, which were directed towards the Scranton School District and its newly-elected, largely female board, were generally misogynistic.
@timestribune Not going to repeat the remarks, but Ellman stepped on several misogynistic tropes.
@timestribune Budget amendments are coming up. My understanding is Gaughan will introduce amendments, followed by remarks on the question by council members. Residents will also have another opportunity to speak publicly on the amendments. #Scranton.
Beyond the 2.4% tax hike council will consider:
* Cutting budgeted revenue expected from the sale of delinquent refuse receivables from $2.2 million to about $1.5 million.
* Cutting about $170,000 in budgeted "other salary" across several departments.
#Scranton
* Cutting budgeted revenue expected from the sale of delinquent refuse receivables from $2.2 million to about $1.5 million.
* Cutting about $170,000 in budgeted "other salary" across several departments.
#Scranton
Gaughan speaking to budget amendments now. He lauds the administration for coming to the public budget caucus last week and participating, said they've never been able to do that before in #Scranton, at least during his tenure.
For example: #Scranton did not raise property taxes from 1991-98, followed by sizable spikes in 1999 and 2000. Then, no property tax increases from 2001-2006 were followed by a large hike in 2007. No increases in 2008-10 were followed by a large property tax decrease in 2011.
Gaughan also notes issues, in his opinion, with Mayor's plan to lower trash fee/fold it into property tax bills. Gaughan says it's unfair for businesses to pay a fee for garbage service when they must use a private hauler. Same goes for landlords with more than 4 units. #Scranton
Gaughan says conversion from Business Privilege and Mercantile Taxes to Payroll Tax is something he supports, but there are many uncertainties. For example, what happens if the Scranton School District doesn't swap to a payroll tax? This is all in the context of budget concerns
"If we don't do it this year we are going to do it next year, and it won't be 2.4%," Gaughan says of tax hike he'll recommend. "It will be 10, or 20%" #Scranton
Council President Rogan, responding to Gaughan, says every budget has moving parts. "I don't see the need for the tax increase currently. Taxes are going to eventually have to go up," he says, but says council should let Mayor-elect Cognetti do what she can. #Scranton
Council votes 3-1, with Rogan voting no, to amend the proposed #Scranton 2020 budget to include a 3% property tax increase on land in the city (2.4% hike overall). The amended budget will go to Mayor Evans for signature/veto. If vetoed council needs 4 votes to override.
Councilwoman Dempsey reiterated the argument that failure to approve modest tax hike of 2.4% will necessitate large hikes in the future.
Another amendment: Council votes 3-1 to restate projected revenue from sale of assets (trash fee receivables) from $2.2 million to $1.5 million. Donahue argues it's a one-time revenue source. To balance a budget on $2.2M in one time revenue will create hole next year. #Scranton.
Rogan votes no on restating trash-fee receivables revenue, arguing the current trash fee collection system isn't working and requires a change. In caucus he argued that the $2.2M projection actually understates what the city could get from selling trash fee receivables. #Scranton
