Proposed $46.9M Ross 2026 budget carries 8% property tax increase

Property owners in Ross are looking at a township tax increase for the second year in a row.

An 8% property tax increase is included with the township’s proposed $46.9 million budget for 2026.

As proposed, the township’s property tax rate would increase from 3.7 mills to 4 mills.

The owner of a property at Ross’ median value of $134,600 would see about a $40 annual increase, from about $498 to $538.

If approved, it would follow a 1-mill property tax increase that was approved for 2025. Dan Berty, the township’s finance director, said that had been the first increase in his 11 years with the township.

Because of reassessments, mostly on commercial properties, the township saw a $16.2 million decrease in the overall assessed value of taxable property, lowering the township’s expected revenue. More appeals are expected, Berty said.

Overall, Ross would spend about $233,500 less than it did in 2025, with decreases in bridge replacements and sewer deficiency correction projects offset by increasing personnel costs, according to Berty’s presentation to commissioners.

Spending in the township’s $29.2 million general fund is up by 2.61%, caused by an increase of personnel cost, snow removal, pension contribution and insurance increases, offset by other decreases.

Public safety and public works are the two largest areas of spending. Public safety spending is projected to increase 3.1% to $10.8 million, while public works will increase 3.2% to $8.3 million.

For 2026, the township has committed $20,000 to trail projects and $340,000 to park improvement projects at Rosecliff, Windhorst parking lot, Evergreen Park gabion baskets and foot bridge, and Scharmyn Park playground equipment replacements.

Several large projects are offset by about $1.7 million in grants. With about $554,000 in Green Light Go funding, the township will replace traffic lights at Thompson Run Road and Babcock Boulevard and at Babcock and Rochester Road. The Perry Highway street light project grant totals $525,000, while there is a $600,000 grant for the Browns Lane sidewalk connector project.

The annual road program is budgeted at $1.7 million.

The budget includes a digital billboard for the township at the public works entrance way. A new director of fire services is expected to be hired.

A police locker room project, budgeted at $300,000, and the first phase of the municipal building roof, budgeted at $500,000, are to be completed in 2026.

Commissioners in August rejected bids for the locker room renovation, which came in at more than double what had been expected. The township budgeted $100,000 for the project; the lowest bid was $260,000.

At 25 years old, the municipal building roof is said to be in “dire” condition, including leaks, problems with bees and a partial collapse.

With the municipal building being a hub of activity in Ross, Commissioner Dan DeMarco said the roof can’t be put off any longer and needs to be a priority.

A public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for the commissioners’ regular meeting Nov. 17. They will vote on adopting the budget on Dec. 15.