CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — There will be no tax increase in Clarion Borough in 2019.

The proposed 2019 budget was authorized for advertisement at Tuesday’s Borough Council meeting, and it doesn’t include any changes in the taxes — which will hold steady at 22 mils.

“I’m very happy that we can hold the line on taxes,” said Clarion Borough Council President Carol Lapinto.

“When you look at all we have been able to accomplish and couple that with that fact that only 27 percent of the borough is taxable property, to be able to not raise taxes yet again is very satisfying.”

The proposed expenditures in the 2019 budget come to $3,878,226.00 with the largest portion being the General Fund at 2,042,427.00

A full copy of the budget will be available for public inspection starting Wednesday, November 7. It will be available at the Borough offices, the Clarion Free Library, and the Clarion Law Library located inside the Clarion County Courthouse.

CHRISTMAS PARADE TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 17

A Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, November 17, in downtown Clarion.

The Clarion Chamber of Business & Industry was granted permission from the council to hold the parade which will line-up at 2:30 p.m. and step off at 3:00 p.m.

The parade used to take place on Light-up Night, but the Chamber thought it would be better to hold it on Saturday.

ZERFOSS HIRED TO CLEAN BUILDINGS

The council also hired Shawn Zerfoss to clean the borough office and public works buildings at the monthly rate of $350.00 starting this month.

Zerfoss is also a borough police officer and the son of councilman Earl Zerfoss. His duties will be performed once a week at each of the two buildings and must be done separately from his police officer duties and not while he is on the “clock” as a police officer.

Zerfoss had to apply for the position after the previous cleaning person resigned.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business the council: