Low Turnout for Scranton Budget Hearing

Scranton, Lackawanna County - Only a handful of people turned out for the one and only public hearing on the proposed 2013 budget for the city of Scranton.  The budget calls for a double digit property tax hike as well as raises for six administrative positions.

It was a surprising turnout Monday night at City Hall, normally seats are filled in council chambers.

Doug Miller addressed the board, "We have so many outraged people in the community and I just don't see them here and it truly speaks volumes and I'm quite disappointed about that."

This was the one and only chance for people to speak out about the proposed 109 million dollar budget which includes a 12 percent tax hike as well as a one percent commuter tax but only six people came forward.

Lee Morgan says, "When you look at the residents of the city, we keep coming up with new ways of taxation but the city continues to slide in reverse."

At this point there are no layoffs in the budget but six administrators could see raises, something Councilman Pat Rogan disagrees with, "At a time when they are proposing taxes will go up and they are giving large raises as high as 33 percent to people who are already making more money than most of the people in the city.  I don't think its right."

Council members will now draft amendments to the budget and present them as early as Thursday night.  Residents say its time for the elected leaders to step up and get the job done.

Bill Jackowitz told the board, "Stop spending money you do not have and have no way of generating and make the hard choices.  You were elected to be leaders."

The next meeting will be held Thursday when council will walk through all of their amendments.  The final vote on the 2013 budget will be on December 13th.