Leetsdale officials plan to raise property taxes by 5.5% with next year's budget

Leetsdale officials plan to raise real estate taxes by about 5.5% to help support the borough’s first responders.

Council recently approved advertising its proposed 2026 budget.

It includes a tax hike from 9 mills to 9.5 mills.

Borough tax collector Thomas Belacastro said the 0.5-mill increase is expected to generate about $65,000 for the borough and possibly $75,000 “if everybody pays.”

Allegheny County records list the median property value at $69,850, and property owners at that level are expected to pay approximately $628 in borough taxes this year.

That person would pay approximately $663 in taxes next year if the new millage rate is adopted.

Belacastro said the impact on many homeowners will be lessened by the borough’s $45,000 homestead exemption.

“The impact for the homeowners, principal residents, is going to be minimal,” he said on Nov. 20.

More specific borough real estate figures were not available at press time.

Residents interested in information about the homestead exemption can call Belacastro at 412-660-8556 or email leetsdaletaxcollector@gmail.com.

Proposed revenues and expenses were listed at about $3.56 million.

Projected income includes about $1.37 million in real estate taxes, $1.07 million in local enabling taxes, including earned income and business privilege taxes, $198,000 in state shared revenues and entitlements, $101,000 in interests/rents/royalties, $37,000 in business licenses and permits, $30,800 in fines and forfeits and $30,000 in charges for services.

Projected spending includes about $811,800 for police, $246,000 for the borough office, including administrative salaries, office supplies and benefits, $188,500 in general government, including council and mayor compensation, auditing services and insurances, $78,700 for tax collection, $74,000 for engineering services $65,000 for municipal building upkeep and $44,750 for legal services.

Leetsdale is a little more than one square mile and has a population of about 1,200 people.

Council President Maria Napolitano said the tax increase will largely go to supporting the borough’s volunteer fire department.

“(They) provide a vital service to the borough,” Napolitano said. “We need to be prepared for all emergencies, especially since we have a large industrial park.”

Fire Chief Wes James said operational costs, as well as equipment upgrades, have been increasing over the years and more support is needed.

“I think the fire department over the last decade or so has been very good stewards of the money from the borough,” James said Nov. 24. “We don’t burn through budget money. We try to make sure we have money for a breakdown or emergency.

“The borough really stepped up to the plate with that increase. It shows that the council really supports our efforts. It not only helps us, but it helps us serve our residents as well as the neighboring communities.”

This year’s donation from the borough to the fire department is $68,000.

The 0.5-mill boost will bring the donation to about $133,000.

The vote is scheduled for Dec. 11.

Other budget changes and proposed projects

Borough officials are also shifting how they budget their millage.

Of Leetsdale’s 9 mills, 8 mills were planned for general purposes and 1 mill for road reconstruction and infrastructure.

Napolitano said the infrastructure mill will now be folded back into the general fund.

She said the road program is very solid and there are no major repairs planned for next year.

Henle Park upgrades are among the highlights planned for next year.

The borough plans to install a new fitness/wellness area between the basketball courts and the sidewall.

Five workout stations have been proposed, including a balance beam, flex wheel and other low-impact equipment designed to target the core and upper body. The project is being partially funded through grants.

“I believe the community will be very pleased by the visible improvements that we will deliver for our parks, roads and borough operations within the next two years, mostly through careful budgeting and reallocation of funds,” Napolitano said.

The borough also plans to spend at least $90,000 toward public works department equipment, including a leaf blower.

All borough programs and services remain intact. Trash collection bills also stay the same.

The borough provides garbage collection and recycling to residents.

Borough officials said the state budget impasse did not impact Leetsdale’s financial planning.

New job for the new year

Borough officials have also budgeted $47,000 for a new administrative assistant position.

Council approved the position on Nov. 13, about four months after it eliminated the part-time office clerk position that was budgeted at $21 per hour.

Officials at the time said the move had nothing to do with the clerk’s performance.

The clerk position was not necessary due to a change in office hours and it duplicated responsibilities, according to council members.

Council vice president Osman Awad said Nov. 17 there were complaints about not enough people in the office after the office clerk position was eliminated.

Awad said borough secretary Jennifer Simek does a great job and could use some help addressing office visitors while taking care of borough business.

“We want someone to be in the office all the time,” Awad said.

Councilman Scott Zahner, who has been pushing for an administrative overhaul, including the hiring of a borough manager, said he was unaware of any complaints.

When asked about the office clerk, Zahner said, “It just didn’t work out,” and a new position was needed to support the future manager.

Napolitano declined to comment on the administrative assistant position. It is unclear when that person, or a borough manager, would be hired.

The deadline to submit resumes and letters of interest for the manager position was Oct. 31. The borough is evaluating five candidates.

“We are looking to see if we’ve got qualified applicants at this time,” Napolitano said. “The timeline will depend on the quality of the resumes received.”