The Dauphin County Commissioners approved Wednesday a $247 million budget for 2019, which includes no property tax increases for the 14th year in a row.
“We never forget that the taxpayers are relying on us to spend their money wisely and that guides every decision we make,’’ Board Chairman Jeff Haste said. “Every year it gets tougher to keep a lid on property taxes. It takes careful budgeting and a willingness always to find a better, more cost-effective ways of getting the job done for our residents.’’
The 2019 spending plan continues the county’s progress toward paying off its current $68 million in debt by 2025, barring unforeseen future costs, the county said.
The budget includes $11 million for the county’s municipal bridge project. Through the program, the county is using state transportation-related funds to cover 40 percent of a municipality’s cost to repair or replace its bridge. The remainder of the funds can be borrowed from the Dauphin County Infrastructure Bank. County officials are now working with municipalities to determine the initial list of bridges.
“Without this program, township and boroughs would be forced to either close or weight-restrict bridges or raise local taxes fix them,’’ Commissioner Mike Pries said. “We’re looking at long-term solutions and working with our municipal partners to improve the quality of life in the county.”
Consolidating operations at the Dauphin County Prison and the adjacent Judicial Center, which handles the booking and initial bail hearings for those arrested in the county, is projected to save $800,000 in 2019. The proposed 2019 budget anticipates spending $40.7 million for both facilities, a 1.28 percent increase which is below the inflation rate.
Other sources of savings included reducing healthcare costs by $7 million since 2009 by self-insuring, saving $1 million by hiring only once a quarter instead of immediately filling vacancies and continuing energy efficiency efforts at county buildings, which are expected to save $80,000 in electricity next year.
“This budget is another example of how we prioritize good government and leave political partisanship at the door,” Commissioner George P. Hartwick, III said. “We’re committed not only to protecting the pocketbooks of county taxpayers but also to emphasizing best practices and meeting the needs of people in our community who need help most.”