In a recent meeting of the Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners, significant discussions centered around the proposed tax rates and the challenges facing the county's budget for the fiscal year 2025. Chief Financial Officer Dave Bozzoni presented a detailed overview of the budgetary process, highlighting the difficulties stemming from previous years' financial management.

The board proposed a tax rate of 69.67 mills for general county purposes, alongside additional rates for debt service, library funding, and cultural education, culminating in a total millage of 89.98 mills. This marks a critical step as the county grapples with a projected budget deficit of $30 million for 2025, a figure that has escalated from $4 million in 2022 to $15 million in 2024.

Bozzoni emphasized the reliance on one-time revenue sources, such as the fund balance and healthcare surplus dollars, which have been used to balance the budget in previous years. He cautioned against this practice, noting that it creates structural deficits that are difficult to address without a comprehensive plan for revenue generation or expense reduction.

The CFO also pointed out that the county's financial challenges have been exacerbated by inflation and rising operational costs, which have outpaced revenue growth. He acknowledged that discussions with commissioners have led to some budget reductions, but the need for a tax increase appears unavoidable given the current fiscal landscape.

The meeting concluded without a vote, as this was the first reading of the proposed tax ordinance. The board will continue to deliberate on the budget, with the aim of finding sustainable solutions to the county's financial issues.