No tax increase in Sewickley's proposed budget

Sewickley officials plan to hold the line on real estate taxes with next year’s budget.

Council approved advertising the proposed 2022 spending plan at November’s meeting.

It maintains the tax rate at 6.25 mills.

Revenues and expenditures were listed at about $9.064 million and expenses at $8.356 million, about $708,000 in surplus.

Projected revenue includes $3 million in real estate taxes, about $1.75 million in Act 511 taxes, $78,000 in business licenses and permits, $60,000 in fines and forfeits, $39,200 in rents and royalties, nearly $200,000 in American Recovery Plan Act funds, $950,000 in state capital and operating grants and $150,000 in state shared revenue and entitlements.

Projected expenses include $601,400 for general government, including $93,800 in manager salary and $70,000 for assistant manager; $41,600 for tax collection; $90,400 for legal services; $2.28 million for police; $343,000 for fire protection; $273,000 for uniform commercial code and code enforcement; $84,900 for planning and zoning; and $2.32 million for public works including street lighting, traffic control devices, storm sewers and drains, salaries, roads and bridges maintenance, and repairs and general services.

Council president Jeff Neff proposed reducing the millage rate by 0.25 mills, which would have saved a property owner $25 for each $100,000 in assessed property value and reduced overall borough revenue by a little more than $120,000.

“We had done the same reduction twice over the last six years,” Neff said via email. “It may not seem like much, although every reduction helps.”

With an estimated cash balance of about $846,000, Neff felt it was a good time to try and give a break to the residents.

“Being fiscally responsible is not hard,” he said. “You just need to say no to the wants over the needs.”

Council was divided on the proposal and kept the current millage rate in the proposed budget.

Councilman Larry Rice commended borough manager Donna Kaib for her work since being hired in August.

“The new manager is doing a good job of managing the funds and steered us through a sound budgeting process,” Rice said via email. “The new council comes in with a solid financial footing, fully funded pensions, and a good staff. The borough is strongest it has been in several years.”

Rice’s term on council expires at the end of the year.

“As a departing councilman, I am glad to see us building reserves and working on funding for steep slopes and retaining walls,” he said.

Council plans to formally adopt next year’s budget at its Dec. 14 meeting.