SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Lackawanna County residents are sounding off about a possible large property tax hike coming their way.
Residents brought up many suggestions Wednesday afternoon to help get the county out of millions of dollars in debt.
33% is the property tax increase Majority Commissioners Bill Gaughan and Matt McGloin proposed on October 15.
After a listening tour across Lackawanna County, the final public budget hearing was held Wednesday afternoon.
"We don't have a revenue problem here, we have a spending problem," said Old Forge resident Frank Scavo.
With a packed room, many residents spoke at length about different ways to help get the county out of millions of dollars in debt.
"They have to find alternative ways to increase revenue, and a few of those that I brought up were hotel room tax because there are so many hotels in Moosic and in Scranton," said Frank Serafini from Moosic.
"You say that 66% percent are essential and 34% are not, have you considered an emergency order to set a four-day work week? Or plan a summer process to shut down non-essential services in the summer just to recoup some of that money," said Scranton resident Tom Coin.
New take on controversial Lackawanna County budget sparks tension
Other Lackawanna County homeowners used their time at the podium to question budget increases, when they say there should be cuts.
"Human Services, full-time wages, and salaries went from $66,127 in 2024 to $1,335,924, what is that all about?" said Joan Hodowanitz from Scranton.
"The arts and culture budget has gone up and increased for the first time, they went from 1 mil to 1.25, and I don't agree with the increase or the costs and I went into the budget and saw what they increased it for and I have a lot of questions on that," said Laureen Cummings from Old Forge.
The commissioners say they take all of these suggestions into consideration but do not see their budget proposal shifting.
"It's been good to hear from the public obviously most people are angry about what we have to do, but I think people appreciate the fact that we're giving it to them straight and we're being honest with them," Gaughan explained.
Lackawanna County Commissioners must pass the 2025 budget by December 2.
There are two more county commissioner meetings before that deadline.
They plan to vote on the budget on November 20.
