Proposed Budget Means No Tax Increase For Montgomery County Residents In 2013

By Brad Segall

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Pa. (CBS) – Montgomery County residents will not see a county tax increase next year under a proposed budget that slashes nearly a million dollars in earmarks to several non- profit agencies.

County Commissioner Josh Shapiro calls it an honest and transparent budget that seeks to repair errors of commission and omission of prior administrations.

The $411 million spending plan holds the line on taxes but doesn't provide for raises for county employees. Shapiro says they're also cutting out past allocations to organizations like the Elmwood Park Zoo, Legal Aid Service and the Women's Center of Montgomery County.

"No leader wants to make tough unpopular choices but we refuse to punt and leave it to someone else as has been past practice," says Shapiro.

Staff has also been reduced in an effort to close a $10 million shortfall. The county will make a pension plan payment and is taking steps to rebuild its rainy day fund.

Public hearings on the budget will be held later this month with final adoption expected in early December.