East Deer passes 2021 budget, no tax increase

East Deer residents won’t be paying more in real estate taxes next year despite an increase in spending.

Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani said commissioners approved a $1.5 million budget for 2021 that keeps the property tax rate at 4.9 mills.

The final budget, adopted Dec. 31, was roughly the same as the proposed budget, Taliani said. The only change was an $800 salary increase for Township Secretary Chrystal M. Carmen. She will make $41,660.

“The budget, other than that, is exactly the same,” Taliani said. “Taxes stayed the same.”

The township has had its share of financial struggles over the past few years with the closure of the Pittsburgh Glass Works plant, tax cuts and reduced water sales, but was able to avoid a tax increase this year due to reserves in its healthy fund balance.

“We’re happy that we did not have to raise the taxes, but our … fund balance will shrink. We’ll be spending some of the savings we’ve had over the past few years,” Taliani said. “That’s going to make it more difficult in the future, but we’re hoping to see some expanded tax base and some growth in these next few years. That way, we’re hoping that we can remain fairly stable financially.”

This year’s total spending plan is roughly 23% higher than last year’s because the township will be undertaking four construction projects. Last year’s budget was about $1.2 million.

The projects will cost a combined $605,800. They are being financed primarily with grant money.

They include the stabilization of a landslide on Crystal View Drive and the elimination of two combination sewers on Bellview Street; the demolition of eight blighted buildings; the installation of a new waterline on Parsonage Street; and upgrades to the water and sewer system.

The township has already hired Lutterman Excavating of Salem Township to demolish the buildings, but the work has been delayed because of covid-19, Taliani said. The township has not asked for contract bids on the other projects.

“The last communication we had with them is they expected to start them this month, in January,” Taliani said of the demolitions. “Once they start, they’ll wrap them up within a month.”

Taliani said the other projects are expected to be bid soon, with construction hopefully starting in mid to late summer. —