Sewickley officials plan to hold the line on taxes in 2021 budget

Sewickley officials want to hold the line on real estate taxes with the 2021 budget.

Council unanimously approved next year’s preliminary spending plan on Nov. 10.

The millage rate is expected to stay at 6.25 mills.

“I think that the budget is solid,” council President Jeff Neff said. “I would have loved to see a tax reduction.”

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

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, $224,000 for fire, $970,000 for public works, $178,000 for code enforcement, $90,000 for legal services, $163,000 for stormwater management and $112,000 for recreation.

Borough officials also plan to spend about $600,000 on paving.

The budget is expected to be posted on the borough website, sewickleyborough.com, later this month and formally adopted Dec. 8.

In other action

• Council agreed to a six-month trial period for a mini pantry in Chadwick Park organized by the YMCA.

Borough officials said YMCA staffers may keep it stocked with groceries and other items for people in need. It’s unclear when it may be installed.

• Council is considering making Wolcott Park a smoke-free zone.

Resident Linda Pell proposed the borough utilize the state Department of Health’s Young Lungs at Play program, which is designed to create tobacco-free parks, playgrounds and recreational areas for children.

About 1,150 communities throughout Pennsylvania participate in the program including Homestead, Monroeville, Munhall, Mt. Oliver, Dravosburg and Forest Hills in Allegheny County.

The participating communities are listed on the state department’s website under what it’s called an honor roll.

“It would be great to have Sewickley on this honor roll,” Pell said. “They’ll give us signage. They’ll help us put out a newsletter that says the park is now smoke-free.”

Pell said she does not think handing out citations for smoking would be necessary once things are in place.

“I think the enforcement is in the signage and people taking note,” she said.

• Council members said they would consider an ordinance setting rules in the park, and offered support to making the park smoke-free.

“I think a lot of people are courteous when they see an area designated to non-smoking,” Councilman Tom Rostek said.