Revenue Issues Debated in Hazleton: Sewer Transmission and Fire Inspection Fees Run into Opposition but Pass.
By Steve Mocarsky, The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Nov. 21–HAZLETON — City council on Tuesday passed numerous ordinances related to revenue, taxes and fees for 2008, but not without some opposition on two issues.
All votes were cast 4-0 with Councilwoman Evelyn Graham absent, except on two ordinances — one that increases the sewage transmission fee from $50 a year to $21 per quarter, and another instituting an annual $25 fire inspection fee for businesses.
Councilman Bob Nilles said after the meeting that he voted against the sewage transmission fee hike as a matter of principle, because the increase was necessary to pay for an unfunded state mandate to separate storm and sanitary sewer systems.
The hottest issue at the meeting was the fire inspection fee.
Councilman Jack Mundie, who voted against the fee, said he talked with one restaurant owner who had no problem with it, but some others opposed it, calling it “another tax on businesses.”
Mundie said he didn’t think he could muster support to amend the ordinance to exempt business owners who could show proof that cooking area fire suppression systems and fire extinguishers passed state inspections and a private insurance company inspected exits, sprinkler systems and other fire safety issues.
During public comment, Fire Chief Donald Leshko said other cities, such as Reading, Easton, Altoona, York and Williamsport, require such inspections and charge fees for them, as do neighboring Hazle Township and West Hazleton. He said Hazle Township’s fee is $50.
Leshko said Williamsport council is in the process of adopting a similar fire inspection ordinance for rental properties. He said he would like Hazleton do the same in the future.
Leshko also pointed out that the city recently closed down a Chinese restaurant because while investigating a complaint, city officials found the restaurant was operating even though the cooking area fire suppression system was condemned during a state inspection.
In other business, council adopted legislation that will:
–Increase the garbage collection fee from $35 to $52 per quarter.
–Allow the $52 Local Services Tax (formerly the Emergency and Municipal Services Tax) to be deducted at a pro-rated basis from paychecks of those who work within city limits every pay period rather than annually. People who earn less than $12,000 a year are exempt from this tax.
Council also passed on second reading the $9 million city budget for 2008. A third reading is necessary for adoption.
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