No tax hike proposed in Leet's 2026 budget

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

Commissioners unanimously voted Nov. 10 to advertise their proposed 2026 budget, which keeps the tax rate at 9.1 mills.

Township officials raised taxes with this year’s budget by 1.4 mills, the first tax increase in the last seven years.

Allegheny County lists Leet’s median assessed property value at $128,100.

There are no cuts to programs or services in the proposed spending plan.

Budgeted revenues and expenses were listed at about $2.4 million.

Projected income includes about $1 million in real estate taxes, $380,790 in state revenues, $363,500 in earned income taxes, $65,000 in regional sales taxes, $36,000 in licenses and permits, $30,000 in local services tax and $21,800 in charges for services.

Projected spending includes about $806,500 for police including salaries, equipment, pensions and supplies; $578,700 for public works including salaries, equipment, show removal, street lights and storm water management projects; $386,500 for general government including legal services, commissioners salary, manager salary, tax collection, office supplies and insurances; $110,500 for fire protection, $12,750 for code enforcement and $5,000 for planning and zoning.

Commission president Martin McDaniel gave credit to fellow commissioner and finance committee member Martin Zimmel and township manager Betsy Rengers for crafting a budget that meets the township’s needs without needing additional support from taxpayers.

“We’re on the right track,” McDaniel said. “We don’t have a very robust tax base. It even went down this year with people appealing assessments. That means less money for us. We may be a small operation, but we’re able to do a lot of things. … We’re doing the best we can. It’s tough, though.”

Zimmel said the state budget impasse had no impact on township budget development, and he does not see any major changes from now until its expected adoption on Dec. 8.

“I think it’s a good budget,” Zimmel said. “(The state budget) didn’t even come up.”

The proposed budget is available for review at the township office, 194 Ambridge Ave.

Some things for residents to look forward to next year include the expansion of sidewalks along Main Street, the installation of a new war memorial and some road repairs. The first two projects are being funded through grants.

The township allocated $50,000 for street paving.

McDaniel said a list of roads in need of repair has not yet been finalized.

Rengers said the township is also looking into a possible police vehicle purchase.

There is $14,000 earmarked for that effort next year.

In other matters

Township emergency management coordinator Dave Volk said the township is up to date on all its Allegheny County Emergency Management and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency requirements, and briefly outlined a couple of initiatives for next year.

He said the township plans to craft a written flood plan so police, firefighters and other responders know what to do should a major flood occur.

Volk said there has not been a major flooding incident since 2004.

Leet officials are also exploring an emergency alert system similar to what Quaker Valley School District uses for delays, cancellations and similar announcements.