Frazer passes $1.3 million budget, no tax increase

Frazer’s $1.3 million budget for 2020 includes no increase in property taxes despite an increase in spending for the township’s public safety department.

Supervisors unanimously voted to adopt next year’s budget and tax rate at their Tuesday meeting. The tax rate will remain at 1.42 mills.

The budget includes a roughly 8% increase in public safety spending from about $624,770 in 2019 to a proposed $677,600 in 2020. The budget includes a $4,077 increase to pay full-time police officers and a $2,022 boost in pay to police Chief Terry Kuhns. The budget included an additional $13,660 to pay part-time officers.

The township also budgeted $48,000 for a new police vehicle and equipment for the vehicle, which was requested by Kuhns, Township Supervisor Lori Ziencik said.

Ziencik said Frazer hasn’t had a tax increase in more than 15 years. The township has one of the lowest millage rates in Allegheny County.

“We also provide our residents with a $40,000 homestead exemption. If their assessed value is at $100,000, they’re only paying tax on $60,000. The average tax bill here is below $100,” Ziencik said.