Latrobe to hold line on taxes in 2021 while assessing new stormwater fee

Latrobe residents face a new stormwater management fee, but no property tax increase, under the proposed 2021 city budget.

Council is expected at its Dec. 14 meeting to finalize the $6.5 million spending plan, which reflects an increase of about $500,000 from the 2020 budget.

City Manager Michael Gray said the difference reflects projected revenue from the previously approved stormwater fee, which will be billed for the first time in early January and will be payable by March 31. The fee is set at $90 per equivalent residential unit.

Latrobe’s real estate tax is set to remain at 21.5 mills.

The tentative budget is available for review from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at the municipal building, 90 Jefferson St. All those entering the building are required to wear a face covering as part of health precautions during the coronavirus pandemic.

The revenue from the stormwater fee will be used to help cover the city’s costs in complying with a state-mandated plan to reduce sediment flowing into local streams by 10% annually over five years.

Gray said officials have yet to determine sites in Latrobe where the city would focus initial efforts to stem sediment by installing such measures as a retention basin or a bioswale. Bioswales are shallow, vegetated depressions meant to capture and treat stormwater runoff as it moves downstream, according to the National Association of City Transportation Officials.

City replaces excavator

Latrobe is closing out 2020 with an unplanned capital expenditure, for replacement of an excavator used at the city’s solid waste transfer station. A boom on the machine broke, making it unsafe to operate, according to public works Director Scott Wajdic.

Council last month approved purchase of a new excavator at a cost of $105,300 from Groff Tractor & Equipment, which has an office in New Stanton. The price was obtained through Pennsylvania’s COSTARS cooperative purchasing program.

Council on Monday also purchased an hydraulic shear attachment for the machine from North East Attachment, which submitted a low bid of $18,746. According to Wajdic, the attachment is used to cut up discarded tires collected at the transfer station.