Franklin Park proposed budget open for review

Franklin Park’s proposed 2023 budget contains no tax increases and anticipates spending of nearly $13.3 million next year, a roughly $1.1 million increase from 2022.

The budget is scheduled for adoption Dec. 21.

“The borough real estate tax rate of 1.29 mills, (which is) $129 for every $100,000 of your home’s value, is the third lowest rate in Allegheny County,” said Franklin Park Borough Manager Rege Ebner.

Mayor Dennis O’Keefe said borough officials will focus next year on “getting a handle” on current stormwater infrastructure conditions and determining the cost and source of revenue to make needed improvements.

Borough officials anticipate spending $1 million for stream bank restoration and retrofitting of a stormwater detention facility as required by the state Department of Environmental Protection, Ebner said.

Additionally, the borough has budgeted $175,000 for supplies for stormwater repairs and improvements, and anticipates spending $85,500 on labor costs associated with borough public works employees doing the work.

The proposed budget includes spending $300,000 of a $662,328 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for materials and contracted services to begin upgrades to Acorn Park off McGee Road. The borough’s $300,000 match will be provided by labor and materials. The remainder of the work and grant funding will be done in 2024, according to Ebner.

The proposed budget is open for public inspection at the borough building until the Dec. 21 borough council at 8 p.m., during which public comment can be made. Borough council members may then make changes and vote on the budget.

The budget calls for repaving 4.41 miles of borough roads at an estimated cost of $1.15 million, and contracted concrete curb and gutter work at a cost of $250,000 in preparation for the 2024 road paving program.

Ebner said the borough continue long-term planning during 2023. Projects include the completion of the Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan with Ohio Township, and preliminary work on updating the borough’s 2015 Comprehensive Recreation, Parks and Open Space Plan to incorporate properties acquired since 2015. This includes previously owned properties not included in the overall borough park system, he said.

A major focus will be on determining the borough’s costs to repair failing stormwater infrastructure and upgrade stormwater infrastructure to address flooding and increase capacity, and the cost of overall maintenance of stormwater facilities, according to Ebner. The borough will hire engineering assistance in 2023 to inventory and assess the condition of the borough’s stormwater infrastructure.

There are no new sources of revenue identified for 2023 other than the grant for park improvements.

In fact, the borough anticipates a dip in revenue due to covid-related American Rescue Plan Funds not being renewed for 2023. The borough received $793,000 in rescue plan funds in 2022. The borough also received $700,000 from a short-term loan in 2022 for a property purchase, a one-time boost in revenue that will not be repeated in 2023.

O’Keefe said borough council, staff and he work hard every year to provide the same high level of service at the lowest possible tax rate.

“Over the past two years we have been able to hold the line on taxes while also purchasing properties for green space preservation and future expansion of park programs. We are now faced with paying for water quality improvements as mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency under the borough’s MS4 program, and for repairs and upgrade to our stormwater infrastructure, which has begun to reach the end of its useful life,” O’Keefe said.

Its proposed 2023 spending plan is available for public review at the borough building on 2344 West Ingomar Road before the Dec. 21 vote.