Homer City Borough Council Tuesday night approved a budget that will not raise taxes for residents but eliminates their full-time police chief position.
Joe Iezzi, Sr., Matt Black, Denise Liggett and Robert Walbeck voted in favor of eliminating the chief’s position while Kenneth Cecconi, Brad Black and Christina Worcester voted against the motion. During public comment, there were several complaints lodged against the chief. When making the motion, Liggett said the decision to eliminate the position was a financial one.
Council President Iezzi said that Chief Anthony Jellison’s final day has yet to be determined.
The first vote on the advertised budget tied 3-3 with Robert Walbeck initially abstaining. Mayor Arlene Wanatosky voted the proposed budget down. After discussion over a new option that would have reduced the police portion of the budget failed to generate a motion, a second vote on the advertised budget passed 4-1 with Walbeck and Brad Black abstaining. This version of the budget has expenses at $716,592 and held taxes at 4.463 mills.
You can watch the meeting by clicking on the video player below.
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