2 days Ago By By FREY HEIDE [email protected]
BLAIRSVILLE — At its monthly meeting Tuesday, Blairsville Borough Council prepared for next year by advertising its 2025 budget, which will include a tax increase. Should the increase be approved, residents with an average home value of around $94,000 can expect to see an increase of $95 per year, or $8 per month as the millage rate increases for the first time since 2019. The new millage, an increase of one to 5.
26 mills, is in reaction to rising costs the borough faces in the upcoming year, according to Borough Manager and Secretary Jody Poorbaugh. “Over the last five or six years, we have incurred costs from our vendors. Over those years our health insurance has gone up — by nine percent this year.
Our liability insurance has increased by seven percent as well.” In addition to those costs, new contracts with the Teamsters and Laborers unions were approved by the borough. Both contracts include a 6 percent wage increase for next year, and more than 4 percent for 2026 to 2028.
These wage increases were made to help combat an increasing cost of living, according to Poorbaugh. Borough council also approved four resolutions to pursue grants to take care of multiple public projects. These include Resolution 180, a $50,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant to upgrade software and computers for Blairsville Borough Police Department and to acquire ordinance codification software; Resolution 181, a Local Share Account grant to install insulation in police facilities; Resolution 182, a $50,000 Main Street Matters grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for Blairsville Parks and Recreation for a planning study to determine the needs of the Blairsville Community and Recreation Center; and Resolution 183, a nearly $200,000 Local Share Account grant to install a new roof for the Blairsville Fire Department.
The meeting was a busy one for the borough. Notably, the Rotary International Club of Blairsville presented an $8,000 check to Blairsville Parks and Recreation to acquire new playground equipment. While more projects remain, this is meant to be the “beginning,” according to Connie Constantino, one of the parks and recreation board members.
Additionally, Mayor Ronald Evanko swore in Logan Cusimano, who was hired as a full-time police officer. He previously worked as an IUP police officer, and will begin his duties in December. Finally, council reminds residents that a mandatory water conservation notice remains in effect.
Despite recent rainfall, the borough’s water reservoir remains low. Residents are asked to conserve water by eliminating non-essential water usage, including watering the grass, flowers, gardens or washing vehicles. Water can also be conserved by turning off the tap while brushing teeth or washing dishes in the sink.
Citations can be issued by borough police for violators of this conservation notice. Folks can also report violators by calling borough police at its non-emergency number. Other topics discussed include satellite recycling days may return every other month for next year due to recent demand, a draft ordinance for the Indiana County Municipal Emergency Services Authority has begun circulating amongst county solicitors according to Poorbaugh, and council approved Solicitor Patrick Dougherty to perform a title search on a property on West Campbell Street.
Blairsville Borough Council will next meet at 5:30 p.m. Dec.
17 at the borough building, 203 E. Market St..
