[NOTE: The following letter was published in the December 25, 2024 edition of LNP/LancasterOnline]
Columbia Borough Council's sorrowful "regrets" over the recent 25% property tax hike ring hollow ("Property taxes in Columbia Borough will increase by 25% next year," Dec. 11 LancasterOnline.com).
Council members need to stop with the hand-wringing and crocodile tears, because the borough's fiscal crisis was entirely predictable. Multiple councils ignored warnings from successive borough managers about overspending.
Instead of addressing the underlying problems, these councils continued to spend, spend, spend — leading to today's situation, which may require yet another tax hike for 2026.
Given council's track record of "kicking the can down the road," it seems unlikely that members will have the courage or will to make the tough decisions and cut unnecessary spending.
Council's current course of hiking taxes will continue to hamper economic development, discourage home ownership and devalue property.
With the borough council unable to fully account for all past spending, it may be time to consider state oversight through receivership to restore the borough's financial stability.
Joe Lintner
Columbia
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