CLARKS SUMMIT — Members of Clarks Summit Borough Council approved a 2017 general fund budget of $2.7 million, with no tax increase, amended to reflect additional income from the Clarks Green police contract, which was approved during a regular meeting Dec. 7.
The borough’s current tax rate is 33.5 mills (27 for the general fund, four for the debt service fund and 2.5 for the fire service fund). A mill is a $1 tax on every $1,000 of assessed property value.
Members of Clarks Green Borough Council voted, 5-2, to award a five-year contract to Clarks Summit during a special meeting Nov. 30.
Clarks Summit, whose bid of $416,469 came in more than $66,000 less than South Abington Township’s, will begin patrolling the municipality Jan. 1. South Abington has handled police services in Clarks Green for the past 32 years.
“I think the process borough council went through was very thorough and the determination was a difficult decision,” Clarks Green council member David Rinaldi said. “We’re very glad to have Clarks Summit as our police department and we’re looking forward to a great relationship for the next five years. We have every faith in the Clarks Summit police department to provide outstanding service as we’ve received with South Abington Township.”
Clarks Green council member Alan Hughes added the borough considered logistics as well as cost when making a decision.
“We did a pretty comprehensive analysis on the coverage in square mileage by the two municipalities, and total road miles covered, and it indicted the coverage we would get by changing would be more extensive than what we have now,” Hughes said. “There was a mathematical analysis done; it wasn’t simply who do you prefer.”
Members of borough council approved two additional 12-hour shifts per week for the police department to accommodate the added responsibilities. Members of council also voted to hire Pat Gibbons as a full-time officer, effective Jan. 1.
Gibbons currently serves as a part-time officer for the borough and the department plans to interview candidates for up to two additional part-time positions.
Clarks Summit Borough Mayor Herman Johnson looks forward to the police department providing services to Clarks Green.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for Clarks Summit because we have a good, professional police department and I think we can provide great protection to our sister city,” Johnson said. “We will work very hard with Clarks Green and South Abington in any police matter. It’s our job to provide a service to all communities.”
Members of borough council will hold a work session meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 27 and a regular meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 4 at the borough building, 304 S. State St.