Lawrence Co. commissioners expect increase in property taxes in 2010

By Mary Grzebieniak

Commissioners also learned that plans for a ‘racino’ in the county are not dead.

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Lawrence County residents will probably see a county property-tax increase next year.

County Commissioner Daniel Vogler said at Tuesday’s commissioners that the state budget, when eventually passed, is expected to contain deep funding cuts in many mandated programs, which will have to be made up by the counties.

“Lots of counties will be looking at adjustments in the property tax rate, including [Lawrence],” Vogler said.

Commissioner Steve Craig agreed that the state cuts will “basically shift the burden to county governments.” He said the county doesn’t have an option when it comes to supporting the mentally ill and mentally disabled and Children and Youth Services, which he said he expects to be hit hard by cuts in the state budget.

The county has not raised taxes since 2006 when they were increased from 5.06 to 5.313 mills, according to J.R. Hardester, Lawrence County chief assessor. A mill is defined as one dollar on every $1,000 of assessed value.

Vogler reported that the Pennsylvania State Harness Racing Commission has assured Centaur officials that they will wait for the developers to find financing for the Valley View Downs “racino” planned for Mahoning Township.

Vogler attended Friday’s meeting of the Harness Racing Commission in Washington County and said that Centaur official Joe DeRosa, general manager of Valley View Downs, spoke to the commission, repeating that Centaur continues to work to secure financing. DeRosa added that he sees a “spring thaw” coming in the financial markets that will make it easier to secure financing for the project.

Vogler said Harness Racing Commission Chairman Roy Wilt told DeRosa that the commission will continue to “patiently wait” until Centaur strikes “pay dirt” in securing financing.

The Valley View Downs project obtained the last harness racing permit in Pennsylvania and is now trying to get a Category I slots license for the planned facility.

However, the application for the slots license is on hold until Centaur obtains new financing for the project.

Centaur lost its previous financing for the project in September 2008 after being denied a request for a conditional slots license to satisfy its lenders while they waited for a decision on the permanent license.