Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Council passes tax hike, mayor vows not to sign


Columbia Borough Council voted 4-2 on Tuesday night to approve a 25% tax increase, raising the millage rate to 10 mills under Ordinance 954. Councilman Eric Kauffman introduced the motion, which Councilman Kelly Murphy seconded. In a roll call vote, Councilors Peter Stahl and Joanne Geesey cast the two dissenting votes. Councilwoman Barbara Fisher was absent. 

Mayor Leo Lutz stated he would not sign the ordinance.

According to PA State law:

"If the mayor does not approve the ordinance, the mayor shall return it with objections, which shall be entered upon the minutes, to the council at its next scheduled meeting occurring at least ten days after the meeting at which the ordinance was enacted by council.

(iii) Council shall reconsider the ordinance either at the meeting at which the vetoed ordinance was returned or not later than ten days after the meeting at any other scheduled meeting. If, after reconsideration, a majority of all elected council members plus one votes to override the mayor's veto, the ordinance shall have full force and effect as if it had received the approval of the mayor. The vote shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names and votes of the members shall be entered upon the minutes.

(iv) A scheduled meeting, as used in this section, may be either a regular, special or reconvened meeting.

(3) If an ordinance is not returned by the mayor at council's next scheduled meeting occurring at least ten days after its presentation to the mayor, the ordinance shall have full force and effect as if it had been approved by the mayor."

LINK

Council also voted 4-2 on Resolution 2024-38 to adopt the budget for 2025. Once again, Stahl and Geesey were the two "no" votes.




Tuesday, December 10, 2024

In a 4-2 vote, Columbia Borough Council hikes tax rate to 10 mills

 

Columbia Borough Council members (L-R): Peter Stahl, Heather Zink, Eric Kauffman, Kelly Murphy, Todd Burgard, Barbara Fisher, and Joanne Geesey 

In a 4-2 vote, Columbia Borough Council approved Ordinance 954 Tuesday night, setting the tax rate for 2025 at 10 mills, an increase of 2 mills, or 25%,  over the previous millage. 

Councilors Peter Stahl and Joanne Geesey voted no to the increase. Councilwoman Barbara Fisher was absent.

(Details will follow. )

Aument to Depart State Senate For Role as McCormick's State Director

PA State Senator Ryan Aument 

A major shakeup is coming in the Pennsylvania State Senate.

Senator-Elect Dave McCormick named State Senator and Republican Whip Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster) as his State Director, the first staffing announcement McCormick has made since being elected to the U.S. Senate.
MORE:

Agenda - Columbia Borough Council Meeting - December 10, 2024

 


The meeting packet is HERE.

Santa D’s Toy Challenge on the Bridge – Begins December 9th | WSOX-FM

From 6am on Monday, December 9th thru 6pm on Friday, December 13th, Santa D and his elves will be collecting donations for the Toys for Tots programs in Lancaster and York Counties. Donations will be accepted 24/hours a day on the Columbia side of the Route 462 Bridge.

MORE:

Monday, December 9, 2024

Deeds Recorded - Columbia Borough - December 9, 2024


The estate of Schmitt Sandra J. Est, Schmitt Sandra Jean conveyed 642 Manor St. to Mary B. Schmitt for $54,199.

Samuel E. Esh conveyed 450 Avenue I to Joseph L. Miller for $150,000.

Vestal Amber, Vestal Matthew Brent, Vestal Matthew B. conveyed 306 Perry St. to Kailey J. Wahlberg for $1.

M&M Realty Co. conveyed 1401 Manor St. to Lebron Luis Angel for $344,000.