Berks tax hike linked to possible $2 million cut by U.S.

[motely36]

From the Reading Eagle

A potential $2 million cut in federal funding for the Berks County Youth Center is a significant reason for the nearly 34 percent increase in property tax in the proposed 2005 budget, an official said Thursday.

Budget Director Robert J. Patrizio said the county had to account for the $2 million cut when preparing the budget.

“The federal government is shifting the burden to the state and county,” Patrizio said. “We have to make up for the $2 million.”

Patrizio was responding to Exeter Township resident Dorothy Reilly, who asked the commissioners during their weekly meeting if the federal government is responsible for the proposed county tax increase.

“We are spending more money on war and the taxpayers have to make up for it,” Reilly said.

On Tuesday, the county unveiled a $390.4 million proposed budget that relies on increasing the real estate tax to 6.935 mills from 5.185 mills.

If the budget is approved, property owners will pay $6.94 for every $1,000 of assessed value, or $693.50 for a property assessed at $100,000. The increase would be $175 more than this year's bill of $518.50.

Patrizio said the county expects to receive only $1 million from the federal government toward the youth center's $12.5 million in costs, instead of the $3 million it received in 2004, when it cost about $8.5 million to run the center.

The $4 million increase is due to the loss of the federal funding and the expansion of the center last year, Patrizio said.

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Woo Hoo, higher property taxes, gotta love it. But at least we got our federal tax cuts! Oh wait, I didn't get one last year. hmmmm...

[elehhhhna]

1. Their taxes just jumped & prop. values dropped. Double the blessings!

[Kansas Wyatt]

2. I tried to tell everyone that

Before he cut anything, but most would not listen. The burden was only shifted to the ones who got screwed out of the biggest breaks. But at least they have "morals", so they can work harder for less.

[arabella]

3. Weeping...

I'm in Exeter. :-(

[motely36]

4. Hi Arabella, I'm in the city

Welcome to DU!

[arabella]

5. Thanks

Originally from Oley, now living under the drool of Exeter. I did live in Reading for a while, in the houses between Glenside Elem. and the golf course but it's been almost 20 years since I've seen that area. Gads that sounds bad.