Bridgeville increases spending, keeps current tax rates

While the 2020 Bridgeville budget calls for a spending increase of almost $337,000, residents will not see their taxes go up.

Borough council unanimously approved the $3.2 million general fund budget Dec. 9. Commissioners also approved maintaining current rates of 6.5 mills on buildings and 10 mills on land.

With multiple delayed projects, finance committee chairman Joe Verducci said he thinks the borough should take advantage of low interest rates and borrow the money rather than raise taxes.

Some of the bigger projects on tap for 2020 are McLaughlin Park upgrades, sediment removal and retaining wall work. The borough received a $250,000 grant from the commonwealth to help pay for the work. The borough previously received a $125,000 grant for the project.

The widening of Washington Avenue and Chartiers Street is tentatively scheduled for the coming year.

“We’re crossing our fingers, but there are rumors it may get delayed three to six months,” Verducci said.

The total cost for some of these big-ticket items may reach $2.7 million. Council will attempt to borrow $1.1 million. In addition to the general fund, Bridgeville Borough has a $2.9 million capital improvement fund to pay for those projects.

Borough Manager Lori Collins said they will soon reach out to financial institutions about terms. She said the money won’t be borrowed until projects are ready to be started.

Verducci said the borough will likely spend about $407,000 less than was budgeted for 2019. That will leave a fund balance of more than $1.2 million.

While taxes are not increasing in 2020, Bridgeville residents will see an increase in water bills.

Council unanimously approved borough and Alcosan rates and charges. The borough rate will increase by 50 cents to $6.73 per 1,000 gallons used, and the Alcosan rate will increase by 85 cents to $8.50 per 1,000 gallons.

The Alcosan quarterly service charge will also increase by $1.17 to $17.86.