7/1/16
by News Department on 07/01/16Demolition funding...
In the wake of last week's fire that destroyed over a dozen row homes, Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) is renewing his fight for proposals that would provide significant funding to demolish vacant and abandoned properties in Berks and Schuylkill Counties.
Argall is the prime sponsor of a bipartisan measure that would provide counties with an option to raise up to $15 per mortgage or deed to provide additional demolition funding.
On an average year, Schuylkill County would raise $130,000 annually for this program if the county enacted the $15 fee. Berks County would realize $315,000 annually under the same fee.
Argall is encouraging action on his proposal, as well as a bill that would allow counties to levy up to a 10 percent fee on all properties sold through the county tax claim bureau. Both bills have already been unanimously approved by the Senate and are awaiting action by the House committee.
