HONESDALE, PA — Despite a $994,000 increase in spending, there is no increase anticipated in Wayne County property tax rates in the proposed 2017 budget. Prior years’ surplus was transferred to cover the cost and avoid tax increase.

Business Manager John Haggerty introduced the budget at the commissioners’ November 10 meeting.

The budget will be available for public inspection at the commissioners’ courthouse office and online at www.waynecoutypa.gov through the end of the month. It is scheduled to come before the commissioners for final approval on December 1.

Haggerty said the 3.2% appropriations increase was attributed to “an unexpected increase in boarding fees for non-county prisoners and delayed capital improvement projects,” and that the surplus was derived from “savings in bond re-funding and prudent financial management….”

The budget has a new line item that funds a joint venture with the Wayne Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO) to “fuel job creation and assist business development.”

The budget further provides “a financial commitment to the proposed Drug Court Initiative and a contribution to the Capital Investment Fund for a future broadband project,” according to the statement.

With newly elected State Rep. Jonathan Fritz absent, Commissioners Brian Smith and Wendell Kay thanked Haggerty for his efforts.