Sewickley officials maintain real estate tax rate in 2026 budget

Sewickley property owners will not have to pay more in real estate taxes to balance next year’s borough budget.

Council unanimously voted Dec. 9 to pass its 2026 spending plan and maintain the millage rate at 6.25 mills.

The borough has not raised taxes for at least eight years.

Borough manager Donna Kaib said budget projections have not changed from last month’s preliminary proposal.

Projected revenues and expenses were both listed at about $11.2 million.

Income includes about $4 million in real estate taxes, $2.2 million in Act 511 taxes including earned income and real estate transfers, $825,000 in state capital and operating grants, $129,000 in charges for services, $111,500 in interest earnings, $78,000 in contributions and donations from private sources, $76,400 in business licenses and fines, $40,000 in rents and royalties, and $27,000 in other fines and forfeitures.

Proposed spending includes about $2.5 million for police; $1.5 million for public works; $732,000 for the municipal building, including repairs, cleaning and utilities; $618,400 for government executive costs such as administrative salaries, insurances, materials and supplies; $486,000 for fire protection; $246,000 for planning and zoning; $200,000 for engineering; $175,000 for legal services; $68,800 for tax collection; $65,000 for computer services; $61,000 for code enforcement; $50,800 for EMS; and $31,600 for auditing and payroll.

Council president Cynthia Mullins said it took a lot of hard work to address borough needs without taking more from taxpayers.

“Our budget shows our commitment to living within our means even while we are getting big projects done,” Mullins said after the meeting. “Our priorities continue to be sound financial management and investment in upgrading infrastructure.”

Budget highlights include $600,000 for paving and about $250,000 for repairing sewer lines.

About $400,000 is earmarked for War Memorial Park improvements, including modernizing the playground and adding new surfacing.

Wastewater treatment plant upgrade

Sewickley’s major project in 2026 will be about a $2 million upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant along Chadwick Street.

Borough engineer Mike Galet, prior to this month’s meeting, said the scope of plant repairs includes replacement of the existing HVAC system, electrical upgrades and replacement of the plant’s digester to provide operational improvements.

The borough, as of this month, has received $1.6 million in state and federal grants and has several other grant applications pending.

Sewickley’s wastewater treatment plant serves the borough, as well as Glen Osborne, Haysville and Aleppo.

“The plant was subjected to violations from the Allegheny County Health Department, citing the plant is operating out of current operational standards,” Galet said via email. “Gateway (Engineers) worked with Sewickley to prepare a corrective action plan that alleviates the operational compliance issue by bringing the out-of-date and damaged components of the plant to current operating standards, which also extends the longevity of the plant.”

The hope is to bid out the improvements this winter and begin renovations sometime next year.

Saying goodbye

The Dec. 9 meeting was the last for councilman Todd Renner, who decided not to run for reelection.

The former council vice president concludes his 12th year on council at the end of December.

Kristopher Edward Lorang earned enough write-in votes to be on both the Republican and Democratic ticket for the Ward 2 council seat this year.

Lorang and council members Todd Hamer and Linda Solecki (Ward 1) and Anne Willoughby and Donna Korczyk (Ward 3) will be sworn in to new terms at the reorganization meeting at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 5.

Mayor George Shannon presented Renner with a proclamation. Other council members also thanked Renner for his service.

“Todd has made a difference in our community, and that’s significant and that’s important,” Shannon said.

“He’s always sharp and he’s always prepared,” Mullins said about Renner.

Renner said he is proud to leave the borough in much better financial shape than when he started in 2014.

Sewickley Mayor George Shannon joins Councilman Todd Renner after presenting a proclamation for his 12 years of service on council Dec. 9. (Courtesy of Bridgett Bates)