Sewickley budget approved, no tax hike

Sewickley officials held the line on real estate taxes in their $9 million 2021 budget.

Council voted 6-3 in December to pass the 2021 spending plan, which maintains the millage rate at 6.25 mills.

Voting for the budget were vice president Todd Renner, Sean Figley, Julie Barnes, Ed Green, Cynthia Mullins and Thomas Rostek.

President Jeff Neff and members Christine Alan and Larry Rice voted against it.

“We have worked very hard to keep the budget in check, build reserves and I felt we had done well enough to actually reduce the tax rate,” Neff said.

The president also was not pleased with having funds allocated for the Quaker Valley Council of Governments. He said council previously had agreed to remove Sewickley from the QVCOG.

Barnes said via email Wednesday night that she would like to see the borough rejoin the QVCOG as well as focus on infrastructure issues. She lauded the administration and her colleagues for their budget efforts.

“The budget process went smoothly, and I believe that the spending plan reflects the priorities of the council this year,” Barnes said. “The most important of which is to continue to build reserves for the borough.”

The tax rate was reduced from 6.5 mills to 6.25 mills a few years ago.

Borough manager Marla Marcinko said Sewickley is in good shape moving forward through the pandemic.

“We budgeted very conservatively, so I am pretty confident that we will remain on track in 2021,” Marcinko said.

Other council members did not return calls or emails seeking comment.

Proposed revenue and expenses were balanced at just under $9 million.

Income includes about $3 million in real estate taxes, $1.76 million in taxes including earned income and Local Services Tax, $82,800 in business licenses and permits and $60,000 in fines and forfeits.

General fund spending includes $2.2 million for police, $970,000 for public works, $224,000 for fire protection, $178,000 for code enforcement, $90,000 for legal services.

It includes about $600,000 for paving, $163,000 for stormwater management and $112,000 for recreation.

Capital projects planned for next year include a $200,000 equipment storage building for public works, $25,000 for a paint machine and ride-on zero turn mower for public works, $20,000 for new portable police radios.

It includes $60,000 for ball field restorations and improvements at War Memorial Park and another $20,000 to replace pedestrian bridges there.

The budget is available online at sewickleyborough.com.

Board, commission appointments

Council unanimously voted to appoint residents to various boards and commissions.

• Heather Wildman was reappointed to a three-year term on the historic review commission.

• Katie Kirsch was reappointed to a five-year term on the shade tree commission.

• Carole Ford was reappointed to a one-year term on the vacancy board.

• Mike Cherock was appointed to a four-year term on the planning commission.

• Donald Beyer was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Ed Green on the planning commission.

• Todd Renner was appointed to a three-year term on the parking authority board.