|
New Tax Collection Committee seeks funding |
|
Written by Publisher
|
|
Thursday, 12 November 2009 |
Another “unfunded” state mandate soon will be affecting Kane area taxpayers in their pocketbooks.
The newly-formed McKean County Tax Collection Committee (TCC) is asking school districts and municipalities to allocate funds to operate the agency, which formed last month under a state mandate.
State law directed the county to create the TCC that eventually will name one collector for the earned income tax (EIT) assessed on people who work. The TCC is comprised of designated representatives for school districts and municipalities. Mike Holtz of Kane is chairman of the TCC.
Although the TCC delegates serve without pay, the organization has “operational” expenses such as legal fees and postage.
Initial TCC operating costs have been estimated at $7,500, according to a notice sent to area school districts and municipalities. The notice claims this total will be “shared proportionally” by the schools and municipalities “based on the weighted vote calculation” prepared by the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
According to the notice, the “initial contribution” from Kane area taxing entities includes:
*Kane Area School District-- $822.89.
*Borough of Kane-- $316.02.
*Wetmore Township-- $136.31.
*Borough of Mt. Jewett -- $76.86.
*Hamilton Township (including Ludlow)-- $45.51
*Highland Township-- $32.69.
*Jones Township (Lamont)-- $31.34.
*Smethport School District-- $480.45.
*Hamlin Township-- $75.62.
*Sergeant Township-- $11.12.
According to the financial breakdown, the Bradford School District has the top initial TCC assessment of $1,658.65. Pleasant Valley Township, a part of the Port Allegany School District, has the smallest assessment at $4.98.
Because municipalities still are putting together final 2010 budgets, the five school districts in McKean County are expected to be asked to come forth with their “shares” now to provide “seed money” for the TCC.
“As townships and municipalities are currently preparing their budgets for the upcoming year, we are asking you to include this request for your share as a line item in your 2010 budget,” the TCC said in its notice.
The “initial” payments to the TCC will get the ball rolling and provide startup revenue. However, schools and municipalities are expected to be asked for more funds in the future for the TCC operation.
“Sources and uses of all funds of the TCC will be subject to audit on an annual basis,” Holtz said in the notice to schools and municipalities.
The county TCC next will be working on bylaws, which are due for adoption no later than April 15, 2010.
The TCC is expected to name a single EIT collector for the county no later than Sept. 15, 2010.
Meetings of the TCC are open to the public.
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 December 2009 )
|
