Etna approves budget with no tax increase, fills council vacancy
Property tax bills won’t be increasing in Etna next year.
On Tuesday, Dec. 16, council approved the borough’s $6.1 million budget for 2026, leaving the property tax rate at 9.5 mills.
The owner of a property at Etna’s median value of $58,450 will continue to pay about $555 per year.
The last increase was for this year, from 9 mills in 2024 to 9.5 mills. That increase added about $29 to the annual borough tax bill for a property at the median value.
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.
In other business
Abigail Seeley was appointed to replace 2nd Ward Councilman Edward V. Burke, who died Nov. 10 and, prior to his death, had not filed to seek reelection.
Under the appointment, Seeley will serve the balance of Burke’s term that ends on Jan. 5, at which point the seat will become vacant again after no one ran for it in the November election.
Seeley has expressed interest in being appointed to the seat a second time, borough Manager Mary Ellen Ramage said.
Seeley, 38, has been an Etna resident for 10 years. She is director of training and program development for The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania, based in Hazelwood.
Seeley had never held or sought an elected office before.
“I’ve been in Etna for a long time now. I feel established,” she said. “I’ve had a chance to appreciate the community our council has worked hard to build here, and I want to be part of charting the future for Etna.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to serve my community.”
Councilwoman Daniele Rothmeyer-McElhaney had been the only candidate on the November ballot for two 2nd Ward seats, and not enough write-in votes were cast for anyone else to claim the second seat.
Mayor Robert Tuñón; 1st Ward councilmembers Alice Gabriel and Brice Everett Lynn; and 3rd Ward Councilwoman Colleen E. Schaefer were all unopposed for reelection. Timothy Miller will join council representing the 3rd Ward when council reorganizes on Jan. 5.
Council President Dave Becki, who represented the 3rd Ward, is leaving office after serving 35 years on council.
Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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