Allegheny Township's proposed budget includes no tax increase

Joyce Hanz, The Valley News-Dispatch, Tarentum, Pa.
·2 min read

Dec. 7—Allegheny Township residents won't see a property tax increase next year.

The 2023 proposed budget includes a general fund budget of $4.27 million, according to the budget presentation by township Manager Greg Primm.

The tax rate will remain at 13.35 mills.

"I'm pleased that for the 13th consecutive year our manager, Greg Primm, has presented the board with a 2023 budget that has no tax increases," township Supervisor Mike Korns said.

Korns added the impact of the covid-19 pandemic and, now, inflation are making it difficult to maintain services to residents.

"They're facing the same pressures to make ends meet, so I'm glad we can do that without adding to their bills," Korns said.

The biggest proposed expenditure is $1.3 million for law enforcement services, followed by $1.1 million for public works.

The proposed overall budget is 4% less than this year's budget, even with two additional police officers hired this year.

Personnel costs are projected to increase between 2% and 5% as the result of anticipated pay increases and related costs. Raises for nonunion staff have yet to be determined.

Primm noted price increases in salt, fuel, asphalt and insurance costs appear to be a universal trend among municipalities.

Primm said the 2023 budget presented significant financial challenges due to the impact of the pandemic and the ensuing 7.75% inflation.

"The 2023 tentative budget addresses those challenges while attempting to maintain the township's conservative budgeting practices and protecting the strong financial position the township has held the past several years," Primm said.

Township officials noted improvements to the municipal building facilities are completed, and the 2023 budget includes rent from the addition of office space for the tax collector and sewage authority.

In addition, despite the pandemic, Primm projects 97% of levied real estate taxes will be collected during the year, and the township is projecting a 5% or higher year-end fund balance.

Township officials pointed to these accomplishments in 2022:

—paving Shearsburg Road, along with stormwater improvements;

—completing the third phase of the Tredway Trail;

—replacing the public works roof;

—hiring two additional police officers;

—buying standardized guns for police officers;

—hosting a critical-incident training session;

—buying new code enforcement software;

—hosting the fifth annual cleanup day;

—buying a new truck and zero-turn mowers for the public works department;

—obtaining a new trailer to transport golf carts;

—continuing to participate in the Reimagining Westmoreland County Planning Region 1 Initiative.

A printed copy of the budget will be available at the municipal building for review and is expected to be finalized at the supervisors' Dec. 12 meeting.

Joyce Hanz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joyce by email at jhanz@triblive.com or via Twitter .