No property tax increase included in Shaler's proposed $17.4 million budget for 2026

Shaler property owners have not seen a township tax increase since 2020, and that trend is expected to continue for 2026.

No property tax increase is included with Shaler’s proposed $17.4 million 2026 spending plan. The tax rate would remain at 3.49 mills.

The last increase, from 2.49 mills to 3.49 mills, was in 2020. For a property at Shaler’s median value of $132,200, the township tax bill would remain at about $461.

“This remains an excellent value to our residents as we continue to provide quality services to the community at an affordable cost,” township finance director Amanda Jennings said.

The 2026 budget is about 5.7% higher than the $16.5 million Shaler is projected to have spent this year, Jennings said. This year’s projected actual spending is about $332,800 less than the $16.8 million that had been budgeted for the year.

The township’s revenue for 2026 is projected at about $15.7 million, about $1.7 million less than expenditures. Jennings said Shaler budgets its revenues conservatively, and “we do expect that actual revenues will be higher, but we also have a fund balance to cover any shortfalls that may occur.”

For 2025, the township’s revenue is expected to be about $16.7 million, about $1.2 million more than the $15.5 million budgeted, she said.

Township Manager Judy Kording said rising wages and benefits costs made the 2026 budget challenging, and some cuts were made to control spending.

Jennings said the most significant cut was buying one truck for public works instead of two, after determining a second vehicle was not necessary.

“None of the cuts will impact services to the residents of Shaler Township, and we will continue to make significant contributions to Shaler North Hills Library, as well as contributions to Shaler Hampton EMS and our six volunteer fire companies,” Jennings said.

Several major capital projects planned for 2026 include the construction of a new bathhouse at Crawford Pool and updates to Fall Run Park, including restrooms, a new playground and a new pavilion.

“We have been awarded over $500,000 in grant funding for the Fall Run project and have applied for additional funding to complete other projects in the park,” Jennings said.

The township is working with the Shaler Area School District to acquire a tax-delinquent property at 111 Fall Run Road through a sheriff’s sale expected to cost about $11,000.

“It would be ideal to acquire this property and make some additional parking down there,” Kording said. “Fall Run Park is a heavily utilized park. It has many, many visitors — not just Shaler residents. It really is truly a regional asset.”

Kording said she has applied for a grant to pay for the demolition.

Shaler’s proposed budget includes $1.6 million for paving and several storm and sanitary sewer repair projects.

Shaler commissioners have scheduled public hearings on the budget and tax rate for their Dec. 9 meeting, which begins at 7 p.m.