MILFORD, PA — After four years without a rate increase, a high-profile murder trial is going to be partly responsible for a 1.2 mill tax increase in 2017 Pike County’s property owners’ taxes, the county commissioners reported on December 7.

The Pike County Commissioners introduced their 2017 budget last Wednesday. It will be available for public review up until the date of its scheduled adoption on December 28.

The new $43.3 million budget carries the first tax rate increase, 1.2 mills, in four years, Commissioners Chair Matt Osterberg said. “I wish I could say [no increase] again, but this year it’s just not happening.” A $1,674,350 increase in Pike’s total assessed value (now at $1.125 billion) helped to reduce the amount of the rate increase. The total county millage rose to 19.74, of which 17.32 supports the budget.

The impact of the increase will depend on the assessed value of individual properties. “Our average assessment is $19,085. For that value the increase will be $24,” he said. Increased costs for health insurance, pensions and cost-of-living salary contributed to the need for the increase. “We’ve covered the increases over the last four years, but after four years you get to the point where you need more [revenue],” he said

Another big hit was the anticipated costs for the upcoming March murder trial of Eric Frein, 33. Frein is charged with fatally shooting Cpl. Bryon Dickson II and wounding trooper Alex Douglass in a sniper-style attack outside the Blooming Grove barracks in September 2014. The Canadensis man has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges. A trial jury will come from Chester County and be housed in Pike during the trial.

Osterberg estimated that the trial may cost upwards of $1 million, “unless it’s settled beforehand.” The budget calls for $550,000 with a reserve of another $250,000. Beyond that, “We do have money in the bank,” he said.

Of the five major budget areas, the combined judicial and corrections cost increases of $3.75 million far outweighed other areas. Some $521,000 was added to a miscellaneous tab, while about $100,000 in new spending went to child welfare. Administration costs were cut by $195,849.

In related business, the commissioners approved 2017 compensation for municipal tax collectors. The base rate of $4,719.75 applies to municipalities of 1,000 or fewer taxable parcels. Beyond that they receive $1.82 per taxable parcel, $1.50 per transfer on unpaid and rebilled parcels and $1.50 per interim tax bill.