In Jeannette, taxes to drop but fees to increase

There will not be a property tax increase in Jeannette next year and residents will pay less in earned-income taxes under the city’s proposed 2020 budget.

But, garbage service will cost a little more and the city plans to add fees for two services that currently are free.

The proposed $5.5 million spending plan includes the use of $303,000 from money set aside from the 2015 sale of the city’s sewage authority. The earned-income tax for residents is set to decrease from 1.85% to 1.4%.

The earned-income tax has fluctuated over the last several years as the city caught up with overdue pension obligations. Council increased the tax from 1.15% to 1.5% in 2014 and then to 2% the following year. It dropped to 1.85% in 2016 and then decreased again to 1.75% in 2018, but then went back up to 1.85% this year.

Garbage collection for residents will cost $200 annually, an increase of $20. The prices are not changing for city-sold garbage bags residents are required to use or stickers that can be placed on non-city bags.

Commercial garbage accounts will also see an increase of $2 to $6 monthly. New monthly rates will range from $22 for up to five bags of trash to $68 for 25 or more bags.

Similar increases are set for large trash receptacle services. New rates range from $28 per pull for a 2-yard receptacle to $62 per pull for an 8-yard receptacle.

“I feel it’s very minimal,” said Mayor Curtis Antoniak. “You have to cover wages, you have to cover fuel, you have to cover insurance.”

Councilwoman Robin Mozley said increasing landfill fees also was a factor in raising rates. Solicitor Tim Witt suggested council examine the new fee schedule annually to see if the revenue is in line with the sanitation department’s costs.

“You’re still very competitive with other municipalities and what their contracted haulers are charging,” he said.

The city will start collecting payments for two services — cardboard recycling and brush chipping. Cardboard recycling will cost $8 per yard and brush chipping will cost between $20 and $50.

The proposed 2020 budget is available for public inspection at city hall.