No tax increase in Carnegie budget

Real estate taxes will remain the same for Carnegie residents in 2020.

Borough council members unanimously approved the municipality’s spending plan at a special meeting on Dec. 30 that included holding the tax rate at 6.75 mills.

The budget includes a $6.8 million general fund, $3 million sewer fund and $250,000 liquid fuels fund.

The owner of an $82,100 home — the median residential property value in Carnegie — will pay about $554 in real estate taxes in 2020. One mill brings in $379,576 to the borough.

While borough leaders had explored a tax increase for 2020, council members ultimately decided to hold the line on real estate taxes for the year.

“It (is) important for borough council to maintain the current tax millage in order for Carnegie Borough to remain attractive and reasonably priced for both new and current residents, businesses and potential development,” borough Manager Steve Beuter said in an email to the Signal Item. “As the municipality continues its ongoing growth and momentum toward the future, the municipal millage will be reviewed and considered for any adjustments needed.”

Revenues in the borough grew roughly $200,000 between 2018 and 2019, while expenses only rose by about $77,000.

One change implemented in 2020, Beuter said, is an increase to the borough’s business privilege tax.

Since 2014, the borough has had two tiers, in which businesses of nine or less employees paid $300 a year and businesses with 10 or more employees paid $600 per year.

Starting in 2020, Beuter said, there will be three tiers: businesses with nine or less employees will pay $350 per year, businesses with 10 to 19 employees will pay $700 per year and businesses with 20 or more employees will pay $1,000 per year.

The borough also is undergoing a parking study for the entire business district that will assess parking fees for 2020.

“One of the components of the study will be receiving suggestions on parking rates and overall usage,” Beuter said. “The results will help us determine the amount of any parking increases.”

ALCOSAN also raised sewage rates for 2020 from $7.94 to $8.50 per 1,000 gallons of wastewater treated. Its quarterly fee also increased from $16.69 to $17.86.

Carnegie charges $6.35 per every 1,000 gallons treated. However, Beuter noted that “the municipal fee will be slightly decreased to assist in the ALCOSAN increase.”

Council members are set to adopt the new rates on Jan. 13.