Indiana Township property taxes hold steady

Indiana Township will hold the line on taxes in 2026.

Supervisors on Wednesday approved an $8.7 million budget which keeps the property tax rate at 3.47 mills — 2.99 mills for the township and 0.48-mill for the fire departments.

The owner of a home assessed at the township’s median value of $152,650 will again pay about $529 in real estate taxes to the township.

Revenues and expenses total about $6.9 million. The township also has a D.A.R.E. drug prevention program fund of about $15,500, a fire fund of about $364,500 and several water and sewer funds.

“Township officials are proud of the enhancements which have been made to facilities, roads, parks, sanitary and storm sewer systems,” Township Manager Dan Anderson said. “The financial plan envisioned in the 2026 budget builds upon those successes and lays the groundwork for the future.”

The township is expected to bring in about $2.4 million in property taxes, up from $2.3 million because of new housing developments.

Total revenue for the fire fund budget is expected to be $364,500. Expenses include $44,000 for insurance and $105,000 for each of the three departments.

Projected spending from the general fund includes $1.7 million for police; $1.9 million for public works; about $265,000 for code enforcement; $1 million for insurance; and $79,000 for planning, zoning and emergency management.

Anderson said the budget contains funding to enhance parks and community centers and also provides increased support to the Cooper Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel, which serves communities in the Fox Chapel Area School District. The township will donate $25,000 to the library, up 25% from this year and up 66% from the donation in 2024.

Anderson said the budget is the most important tool supervisors have for establishing control over costs and directing revenues.

“Budget decisions determine the level and quality of government services, which in turn, guide our community’s future,” he said.

“The goal is to operate within the financial means of the community while maintaining essential levels of services and investing in infrastructure.”