SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— When it comes to money matters, the Electric City hasn't always seen a budget overflowing with good news.
But tonight's unveiling of next year's budget by Mayor Paige Cognetti (D) at the city council meeting had some bright spots in the ledger sheet.
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti's budget proposal included investments into the city's safety, health care and beautification.
It also means good news for taxpayers.
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti (D) sat before city council Thursday evening with a new plan.
A plan that does not include a tax increase for scranton residents.
"There is no tax increase in the city's budget this year. No refuse fee increase," stated Mayor Cognetti (D).
"Over a million dollars in interest on the tax payers money alone. That's a first time I could ever remember in my lifetime that's ever happened," said Scranton City Council President Gerald Smurl.
Mayor Cognetti is also looking to continue health care savings by spreading the city's capital spending into the city's budget.
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"You know health care never goes down so we always have to watch for that," explained smurl.
Safety has been a priority too. The city has replaced a thousand street signs and several crosswalks completed this year.
"We are continuing to invest in our future. Invest in public safety. Invest in road safety. Invest in parks and invest in our services here in Scranton," voiced Mayor Cognetti (D).
That includes fire and police departments.
The proposal creates the addition of five new provisional police officers and 1.5 million dollars toward new equipment and technology for police.
"Scranton is experiencing a lot of interest in recruitment for police," commented Mayor Cognetti (D).
And that's not all, the budget would account for two new housing inspector positions on weekends and monthly code enforcement reports to council.
Mayor Cognetti (D) says there's more than 80 million dollars in projects right now and the focus is to maintain what they invest in.
Those ongoing projects include 17 parks, two splashpads, and four outdoors pools plus the 13 pickleball courts and a skate park.
"It's a great great plan so I do believe that we are on the right track," said Smurl.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday November 12.
