OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) – While the Oil City Council voted to pass the same version of the 2020 budget on the second reading at the Thursday, December 5, council meeting, the third reading and final vote could show a slightly different budget according to City Manager Mark Schroyer.

Schroyer said the City has received the numbers for its workmen’s compensation insurance, and those may increase bigger than what the increase in the budget was projected for.

The increase in the workmen’s compensation insurance comes from “several big hits” the City has taken in workmen’s compensation claims.

“People who have been out with long-term injuries,” Schroyer said.

Schroyer said a secondary factor in final budget numbers is that liability insurance numbers haven’t even been received yet, which is hampering efforts to have a set budget.

“I am unhappy,” Schroyer said. “It gives us very little time to adjust and shop around.”

According to Schroyer, shopping around isn’t always the best policy in his mind anyhow.

“I don’t think it is good to chase premiums,” Schroyer said. “I want to build relationships. If you have a relationship and something isn’t covered they may still be willing to cover it.”

MASSIE APPOINTED TO REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Councilman Dale Massie, who lost his bid for re-election in November, will still be giving his services to the City as he was appointed to the Redevelopment Authority.

Massie will replace Neil McElwee, who submitted a letter to the Council saying his term was up December 31, 2019, and he no longer wished to be a member of the Authority.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business, the council:

• Formalized the termination of Oil City Parking Authority with the third and final vote on the matter. The first two votes occurred at the last meeting.
• Agreed to a tax anticipation note of $500,000.00 from First United National Bank at an interest rate of 2.25 percent. The tax anticipation note would allow the City to continue to run financially in the event that tax revenue doesn’t come in as quickly as expected. Schroyer said he doesn’t think the City will need to use the money but with the interest rates being so low there was no sense in not taking out the note. Northwest Savings Bank also submitted a proposal for the note but with a slightly higher interest rate of 2.39 percent.
• Approved the budget taxes and fees for 2020 on a second-reading basis. One more reading is needed before it becomes law. There is no tax increase in the current reading.