Council approves tax increase

Greencastle Borough Council on Wednesday approved a 1-mill property tax increase to support the 2017 budget.

The budget is $1,385,098 and the tax rate will go from 13 to 14 mills.

The vote was 4-1, with Charles Eckstine, Frank Webster, James Farley and Matt Smith voting yes and Larry Faight voting no.

Discussion included the nature of the different services the borough may provide and how to pay for them, according to Borough Manager Eden Ratliff.

Earlier budget talks included the possibility of adding another full-time police officer. That would have required a 2-mill tax hike and is not in the 2017 spending plan. Eden said the idea may be revisited next year at budget time.

The borough also is looking at the cost of federal Clean Water Act requirements and a storm water management project in the Orchard develop that's estimated over $1 million.

Contact Shawn Hardy at news@echo-pilot.com or 717-597-2164.