More than 1,000 people in Columbia, Lancaster County, have signed a petition against a 21 percent property tax hike in the borough.Many residents showed up at a meeting Tuesday night to address the borough council."My grandmother has owned her home on 5th Street for 40 years and she is now deciding whether to keep her home or buy groceries," said Keen Souckup. The borough says the increase is the first in about a decade. Members approved it because they're running out of money in the savings fund. Norm Meiskey, a former borough manager, said he thinks some of the taxpayer money will go to an ordinance that allowed for $1.5 million in loans to private businesses. He says they are looking at possible legal action against the borough over the tax hike.The borough says it wants to invest in businesses that will invest in Columbia. Despite the outcry, council members said Tuesday night that the tax increase will remain.

More than 1,000 people in Columbia, Lancaster County, have signed a petition against a 21 percent property tax hike in the borough.


Many residents showed up at a meeting Tuesday night to address the borough council.

"My grandmother has owned her home on 5th Street for 40 years and she is now deciding whether to keep her home or buy groceries," said Keen Souckup.

The borough says the increase is the first in about a decade. Members approved it because they're running out of money in the savings fund.

Norm Meiskey, a former borough manager, said he thinks some of the taxpayer money will go to an ordinance that allowed for $1.5 million in loans to private businesses. He says they are looking at possible legal action against the borough over the tax hike.

The borough says it wants to invest in businesses that will invest in Columbia.

Despite the outcry, council members said Tuesday night that the tax increase will remain.