East Deer passes proposed $1.5 million budget, no tax increase

East Deer’s proposed $1.5 million budget for 2021 calls for no property tax increase despite a 23% increase in spending.

Commissioners approved the proposed budget at their Thursday meeting, and will vote to approve the final budget on Dec. 31. The tax rate will remain at 4.9 mills.

Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani said the proposed increase in spending has to do with four construction projects the township wants to undertake next year. This 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 slide 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.

Taliani said 2020 was a financially challenging year for the township, which saw a decrease in revenues from the closure of the Pittsburgh Glass Works plant. That decrease was compounded by the coronavirus pandemic, he said.

Taliani said the township didn’t have to raise taxes despite the loss of revenues because it had a healthy fund balance. He complimented the commissioners on their financial management and planning.

“There has not been a tax increase in about eight or nine years, and, actually, there have been two tax reductions in the past six or seven years,” Taliani said.

The highest jump in expenditures will be for miscellaneous items, which includes the cost of the proposed construction projects. Those expenses will increase from $386,227 budgeted this year to $674,103 next year — a 54% increase.

“The increase is primarily because of the construction projects,” Taliani said. “We will continue to work on our budget and as we get some more accurate fund balances and so forth, make some changes prior to the end of the year.”