Borough passes 2024 budget increases to fire funding
Council also approves trash, sewer increases, tax on gambling machines
SHENANDOAH – Shenandoah’s fire chiefs and companies will receive a funding increase in 2024, after borough council approved the borough’s final 2024 operating budget.
Council approved the matter at a special meeting Thursday evening.
Rick Examitas, borough fire chief and president of the ambulance association, sent letters to council requesting increases for his and the five station chiefs’ salaries, as well as for the stipend for each fire company.
The department’s five companies, their chiefs, and the borough fire chief currently receive funding from the borough. Each company receives $2,650 a year, the chief receives $1,000 a year, and each company chief receives $600 a year.
Examitas asked for an increase of $850 a year for each company and $200 a year for each chief.
Council’s 2024 budget approved Thursday included the requested increases.
Council President Katie Catizone expressed reservations about approving the increases for the fire companies without seeing their financials.
“I would like to ask if we could pass the budget, pending a financial meeting with the financial members of council and each of the five fire companies,” Catizone said.
Borough Manager Tony Sajone suggested approving the budget and, if amendments are needed, the can be made until February.
Though, council approved the budget without Catizone’s stipulation. It also does not include funding for Shenandoah Ambulance, which Sajone said is still under consideration and can be approved later.
The budget keeps taxes level, though trash and sewer rate increases were approved, as was a new tax on gambling machines.
Trash rates are increasing to $352 per year, or $176 every six months, up from $332 per year.
Sewer rates will be $572 per year, or $143 per quarter, up from $135 per quarter last year.
Operators of gambling machines in town will have to pay $250 per machine as well.
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