Donora OKs rise in compensation for tax collector

The percentages haven’t changed in the borough for more than three decades.

After more than 30 years, the tax collector in Donora will see an increase in compensation.

Tax collectors receive a percentage of the tax money they bring in as a commission on work performed. That money is used for compensation and to hire the clerks and assistants needed to collect all the taxes in the borough.

The percentages have been the same in Donora for decades, but this week council voted to give the collector’s office a 1% increase.

Sue Vitalbo, who has long been the borough’s tax collector, sent a letter to council early this year requesting the increase. Officials easily made the decision at Thursday’s meeting to grant the request as the commission had been stagnant for so long.

When such moves have to be made, local governments have to pass the increase by resolution no later than Feb. 15 in the year municipal elections are held. This way, the current tax collector is not simply seeking a raise for their own interests, but for the office itself.

Vitalbo’s seat is up for reelection this year.

The increase will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

The new structure will be a 3.8% commission rate for discount and face collections, a rate of 5% on penalty collections and a 5% rate for per capita and occupational for discount, face and penalty collections.

In other business, council:

• Agreed to grant the Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority $3,616 annually in matching funds.

• Approved the hiring of a new part-time street department worker, Tyler Thornton, at a probationary rate of $18 an hour for 90 days.

• Approved Kelly Balog’s request to hold her fifth annual Donora Craft and Vendor event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 9. The event will use the Seventh Street Pavilion and will block the Seventh Street block of McKean Avenue starting at 8 a.m. the day of the event. Volunteers from the fire department will cook for the event, and Balog has requested the use of trash barrels.