Leetsdale's 2023 preliminary budget contains no tax hike

Leetsdale property owners should not expect to pay more in real estate taxes next year.

Council voted 4-1 Nov. 10 to pass and advertise the preliminary 2023 budget. The final budget is expected to pass Dec. 8.

President Patricia Lee, vice president Maria Napolitano, Osman Awad and Jeffery Weatherby in favor and councilman Roger Nanni dissented. Council members Beth Carroll and Wesley James were absent.

The spending plan maintains the millage rate at 9 mills. One of those mills is set aside for infrastructure.

Council reduced infrastructure taxes by one mill this year.

Weatherby said the tax reduction was possible following the completion of some major paving projects.

“We’ve done all the roads in the borough, and we just have to touch up what is going bad,” he said.

Projected revenues and expenditures were listed at about $2.48 million.

Income includes about $1.18 million in real estate taxes, $784,500 in local enabling taxes including earned income, business privilege and real estate transfer taxes; $146,000 in state shared revenue and entitlements; $32,000 in fines and forfeits; $26,000 in interest, rents and royalties; $12,160 in charges for services and $28,500 in miscellaneous revenues.

Spending includes $716,000 for police; $500,000 for roads and streets; $159,000 for debt service; $154,000 for general government; $96,200 for engineering; $82,000 for fire protection; $70,000 for municipal building expenses; $54,000 for recreation; $48,500 for tax collection; $30,000 for sanitation; $16,800 for legal services and $11,600 for the ambulance service.

Weatherby, a member of the finance committee, said budget planning began late September. There were budget workshops in October. A finance committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 7 to go over it one more time prior to passing it the following day.

“We try to keep all our costs fiscally responsible and low as we can,” Weatherby said. “All of us pay taxes as well. So, it’s in our best interest to be as responsible with the borough’s money as we can.”

Lee said council and the administration work very well together, but there may be room for improvement.

“If it’s not broke, there’s no need to fix it,” she said. “(We can) continue to do what we’ve been doing. Not saying we need to fix anything, but I’m sure there are areas where we can be more efficient.”

There are no major purchases outlined in the budget and no service cuts.

James said one of the budget highlights is the possible hiring of a new full-time police officer. The borough will be testing for a new Civil Service list of potential hires. The list is valid for two years.

James said the two industrial parks and a strong tax base help Leetsdale avoid tax increases while covering rising costs due to inflation.

“We try to provide for our small community and do the best we can for our residents,” he said. “Provide them with the services they deserve even with the fluctuation challenges with the increase in costs and stuff like that.”

The budget was to be made available for public review starting Nov. 28.