Media Outnumbers Taxpayers at Scranton Budget Hearing
By: Eric Deabill & Shannon Murphy
Updated: December 3, 2012
Scranton, Lackawanna County - With a proposed double-digit tax hike slated to take effect, only five members of the public showed up to a public meeting on the proposed 2013 Scranton budget Monday night.
City council held a public meeting on the spending plan at 5:00 PM at Scranton city hall.
All of the residents who attended the meeting were regular council meeting attendees.
The mayor of Scranton and city council have worked jointly to craft this year's budget after the glare of the national spotlight because of the city's budget woes.
The budget calls for a proposed property tax increase of 12-percent for homeowners as well as a one-percent commuter tax and other fee increases.
Members of the public wanted to talk about the proposed salary increases for six city workers Monday night. Two of the employees slated to receive more money are the city and council solicitors.
Councilman Pat Rogan says he opposes the pay increases. Other council members and members of the public say they are needed because of the work that is being done.
City council is expected to have a second reading of the budget at its meeting on Thursday night.
