Officials indicate no real estate tax increase
2025 budget to be finalized Dec. 30
LEWISTOWN — Lewistown Borough Council met Wednesday to discuss its 2025 budget in addition to other business.
Council members heard three 2025 budget proposals that they then voted on. The chosen proposal will be advertised for adoption at the board’s Dec. 30 meeting.
After members discussed the proposals, they voted to advertise the 2025 Budget with no real estate tax increase.
Community members should expect a .121 mil increase for FAME EMS which equates to about an additional $12-15 per year increase to help FAME EMS. This total millage will be .242 for 2025 if adopted at the end of the month.
Council members also indicated that residents should also expect a sewer rate adjustment for 2025.
Members then discussed unpaid sewer and refuse bills. The Borough will send unpaid balance notices to residents in the coming weeks.
Council members said that these notices allow residents to reach out and pay their balances in full to avoid any further penalties or service interruptions. Delinquency and shut off notices will be sent out in early 2025 for those who have unpaid balances with the Borough. Council members stated that the Borough has more than $500,000 in unpaid sewer and refuse bills.
Also, the Borough office will operate under updated hours beginning in 2025. The office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. effective Jan. 2, 2025.
The Lewistown Borough Council will also change its meeting format to two meetings per month. A document outlining the new meeting format will be posted on the borough website at lewistownborough.com.
Meetings will be held on the first and third Monday of each month unless the meeting day falls on a holiday. This holiday exception will effectively move a meeting date to Tuesday of the week listed.
Council members reminded the community that the Borough office closes early at noon on Dec. 20, 24, and 31.
Also, the recycling yard will close at 10 a.m. on Dec. 24 and 31.