Sewickley's proposed 2026 budget includes sewer plant and park upgrades, no tax hike

Sewickley property owners should not expect to pay more in real estate taxes as part of next year’s borough budget.

Council unanimously voted on Nov. 11 to advertise its 2026 spending plan and is set to formally adopt the budget on Dec. 9.

Borough documents indicate the millage rate will remain at 6.25 mills. The garbage collection and sewage rates are also excepted to remain the same.

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

Projected revenues and expenses were both listed at about $11.205 million.

Income includes about $4 million in real estate taxes, $2,247 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 $2.49 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.

Borough manager Donna Kaib said she used a historical perspective when crafting the spending plan.

“I feel that our budget is right on track and once again we were able to balance the budget to reflect the boroughs priorities without increasing taxes,” Kaib said on Nov. 19. “Using a five-year trend analysis helps make doing the budgets simpler each year.”

Council vice president Julie Barnes said creating a balanced budget is a team effort with administrators and elected officials working together.

“Council continues to be responsible stewards of our residents’ taxes and is prioritizing safety and well-being of our neighbors through funding hillside repairs, improvements to our waste water treatment plant, our public works department and parks and recreation,” Barnes said.

She said the borough has invested in new public works equipment over the years, so more projects could be done in house instead of through expensive contractors.

Budget highlights

Council continues its commitment to infrastructure upgrades with $600,000 allocated for paving and bout $250,000 for camera and repairing sewer lines.

Council president Cynthia Mullins said the borough did some brick repairs this year and will be discussing the upcoming asphalt program in January.

The borough is also on a cycle to address about a third of its sewer lines each year.

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

It is expected to be funded by about $1.5 million in federal funds and $500,000 from the borough’s sewer fund. More information about the project is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Mullins said the borough has delayed some maintenance and set money aside for years in order to have a major overhaul done at once.

“We continue to focus on getting the big things done,” Mullins said. “Upgrading sewer infrastructure, shoring up the steep slopes and maintaining a robust road improvement program. I’m confident we will hold the line on taxes when (the budget) comes up for a vote in December.”

Mullins also echoed Barnes’ comments about fiscal teamwork and thanked the borough manager for keeping everyone on task.

“I have to say our manager Donna really loves budgeting,” said Mullins. “She guided us through this process very efficiently.”

Other highlights include about $150,000 is budgeted for crosswalks and sidewalk Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades and $10,000 for Beaver and Broad streets and Thorn and Broad streets pedestrian signal upgrades.

The borough budgeted $100,000 to create a design manual to help with future development.

Mullins said the goal is to create a guide that preserves the borough’s architectural aesthetics, particularly in the historic districts, village overlay and commercial districts.

Councilman Todd Hamer, a member of the parks and recreation committee, said the borough will focus on War Memorial Park upgrades next year after completing significant projects in its other parks this year. About $400,000 is earmarked for War Memorial Park improvements, including modernizing the playground and adding new surfacing.

The borough added pickleball courts to Chadwick Street Park over the summer as well as a full-size tennis court, new fencing, restructuring of the basketball court and new landscaping by the railroad tracks.

Maple Lane Park also received a new playground and chess games were added to the parklet near Safran’s supermarket along Walnut Street, with fundraising help from Quaker Valley High School students.

“We’re happy to have addressed some of our smaller parks in the area, and we’re working on our largest park because it is sorely in need of upgrades,” Hamer said. “I am happy and proud that were able to keep a balanced budget in Sewickley. I credit Donna and Cynthia, Mayor (George Shannon) and Julie for leading the ship.”