Bell Acres approves 5.8% tax increase with 2026 budget

Bell Acres property owners will see a 5.8% real estate tax increase next year.

Council voted 6-0 on Dec. 8 to approve its 2026 budget and bump the millage rate from 4.82 mills to 5.07 mills.

Council vice president Brock Meanor was absent.

It is the first tax hike in at least 10 years. The total millage includes a 0.5-mill fire tax.

There were no changes to the spending plan from its proposed version advertised last month.

Bell Acres’ median property assessed value is $154,700.

Borough Manager Lisa Fleming said the rate increase will have those property owners paying about $39 more in taxes next year.

It will generate about $49,800 of additional revenue.

Proposed revenues were listed at about $2.33 million and spending at about $2.42 million. The estimated $91,000 gap will be closed by carry-over funds from this year.

Projected income includes about $993,000 in property taxes, $650,000 in earned income taxes, $200,000 in grants, $164,600 in intergovernmental revenues, $89,000 in bond shares, $70,000 in deed transfer taxes, $63,000 in interfund transfers $37,600 in licenses and fees, $25,000 in general fund interest and $10,200 in permits.

Projected spending includes $712,000 for police and public safety, $653,000 for public works and $363,000 for financial administration, including payroll, pensions, insurance and office supplies.

The budget also plans for $214,000 in executive costs, including administrative and mayoral salaries and health insurance, $131,000 for fire protection, $39,600 for tax collection, $29,000 for planning/zoning, $26,700 for government building maintenance, $20,000 for legal services, $17,850 for ambulance services, $8,000 for parks and recreation and $2,400 for engineering services.

Michelle Veeck, councilwoman and finance committee chair, said the borough added a budget workshop meeting compared to previous years and went over each line item thoroughly in an effort to hold the line on taxes.

“All the prices went up across the board, as they do every year, but it was more significant this year,” Veeck said on Dec. 10. “After not raising taxes for 10 years, we realised we weren’t keeping up with price increases for basic supplies and also inflation.”

All programs and borough services remain intact. There are no capital purchases such as a new police or public works vehicle or major equipment.

A proposed military banner and flag program to honor current and former resident veterans, and an electronic speed monitoring sign were also cut to save taxpayer funds.

“When we got down to it, any of the ‘would be nice projects’ — we feel we couldn’t do that,” Veeck said. “There is zero fat in our budget. We made the cuts that we had to, and it’s time that we’re going to have to do an increase in the millage. There’s nothing that’s a major expenditure that’s causing us to increase taxes.”

Not all doom and gloom

Residents are expected to see some borough improvements next year, including a new guiderail along Sevin Road.

“As the borough continues to ambitiously seek grant opportunities and funding from both public and private resources, we are looking forward to enhancing our community with various improvement projects,” Fleming said.

Beadnell Drive is projected to receive base repairs, road surface stabilization, off-right-of-way improvements, new cross drains, storm water improvements and an asphalt apron at the bottom portion of Beadnell Drive and Turkeyfoot Road.

The project is covered by a $200,350 Dirt Gravel & Low Volume Road grant from the Allegheny County Conservation District.

Park upgrades planned for next year include the installation of two new pickleball/multi-purpose courts, a new full-size basketball court, rubber mulch for playground surfaces and various park amenities.

A $200,000 state Gaming Economic & Tourism Fund grant will be used toward that project, which is part of the borough’s master park improvement plan.

“They would not happen if it weren’t for grants,” Veeck said about the projects.

Veeck said council, Fleming and her administrative team work very well together, and finding grants boosts borough opportunities.

“We’re always trying to be proactive in making Bell Acers an affordable and nice place to live,” said Veeck. “If our constituents do see some fun projects being done around the borough, it is all through grant funding.

“I think this millage increase, although very small, is really going to go to road projects. That’s probably what gets most people excited up here. We’re very proud of our public works department. They are just incredible. The basics of infrastructure and maintaining quality are always important issues.”