No property tax increase is included with Etna’s proposed 2026 budget, but residents will be paying more for garbage collection.

The borough’s tax rate would remain at 9.5 mills. The owner of a property at Etna’s median value of $58,450 would continue to pay about $555 per year.

“Council worked diligently to hold the line on a tax increase, especially given the uncertainty and rising cost of supplies, materials and utilities,” borough Manager Mary Ellen Ramage said.

The rate was last increased for this year, from 9 mills in 2024 to 9.5 mills. That increase added about $29 to the annual borough tax bill.

The proposed budget totals about $6.1 million, an increase of 6.5% from the $5.7 million spending plan.

The borough plans to acquire a new police car and a new public works truck in the middle of 2025, Ramage said. They would both be leased for five years.

Under the borough’s contract with Waste Management, the cost of garbage collection will increase about 10%, from $405 per year to $445. The cost is billed monthly with water and sewer charges.

Council is scheduled to vote on adopting the budget Dec. 16. The budget is available at the borough office, 437 Butler St., and will be posted to its website at etnaborough.org.

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