WILKES-BARRE -- Wilkes-Barre City Council voted down the mayor's budget Thursday night.
Council voted unanimously to reject the spending plan that includes a tax hike, but vows to work with the mayor to cut spending and bring in new revenue.
"Come on, Tony! Let's get with it! The other mayor wasn't raising taxes, and you stood, you sat right there and you told him, no, we're not raising taxes and now you're gonna raise taxes on all of us,” said Jim Burden of Wilkes-Barre.
There were passionate pleas from taxpayers at the city council meeting in Wilkes-Barre. Mayor Tony George proposed a 21 percent tax hike in his budget. Property taxes would have gone up 25 mills, meaning someone with a property valued at $80,000 would have to pay $15 more a month, $180 more a year. It was not a popular proposal for taxpayers.
“I am absolutely not in favor of a tax hike. You're going to absolutely destroy this city and the quality neighbors in those neighborhoods that are still left are going to be forced out,” said Debbie McLain of Wilkes-Barre.
City council unanimously rejected Mayor George's budget. Mayor George says he realizes tax hikes aren't popular, but says the city is in crisis. The city is in debt tens of millions of dollars. George says he's inherited this financial mess from the previous administration and some people agree with him.
“He's taking the heat for this, but Bill, you, Mr. Merritt and the rest of the puppets that are on this council for the last 12 years let this go on,” Bob Kadluboski of Wilkes-Barre.
The mayor now has until February 15, to present a new budget. He says unless the city comes up with a plan to raise money, there could be sharp cuts this year. For example, a grant runs out in April that funds 10 firefighter positions; they may lose their jobs.
George says he's trying lots of things to come up with money.