East Deer adopts $1.4M budget with no tax increase

East Deer Commissioners voted Tuesday to adopt a $1.4 million budget for 2020 that keep the real estate tax rate at 4.9 mills.

The largest expenditure will be nearly $219,000 for police coverage and related services, while the public works department is allotted $174,000 for street maintenance.

The budget includes a $413,000 carryover from 2019, making it unnecessary to seek a tax anticipation loan to cover expenses until tax payments start coming in.

“This is the seventh year in a row that we haven’t had a tax increase, and two of those years we’ve had a reduction,” commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani said. “This board should be commended for maintaining the services in this budget with Pittsburgh Glass Works closing and water purchases reduced.”

East Deer is set to receive $150,000 from the Allegheny County Gaming Economic Development Fund. The money will be used for sewer and water projects.

Taliani said commissioners and the township engineer will meet to prioritize projects.

The township also will receive $100,000 from the state Department of Community and Economic Development to demolish blighted properties.

“This is a good way to start the new year in the township,” Taliani said. “We should thank (State Rep.) Frank Dermody, who served as our sponsor and we appreciate his efforts.”