Leechburg Area passes $15.3M budget with 3.8% tax increase in West Leechburg

Leechburg Area School Board adopted a $15.3 million budget for the coming school year that increases taxes for West Leechburg property owners by 3.8%, but decreases taxes for ones in Leechburg and Gilpin.

Board members voted 7-1 to adopt the budget during a virtual meeting Wednesday.

Because Leechburg Area School District spans two counties, a complex formula intended to equalize taxes is used.

Property owners in Westmoreland County’s West Leechburg will see their tax rate go up by 4.94 mills to 136.59 mills. The owner of a home assessed at $18,355 will owe about $2,507, an extra $89 a year.

The tax rate for property owners in Armstrong County’s Leechburg and Gilpin will decrease by 2.17 mills to 72.93 mills. At that rate, the owner of home assessed at $26,848 will pay roughly $1,958, or $58 less a year.

Voting in favor of the tax increase were school board members Neill Brady, Anthony Shea, Karen Freilino, Melanie Knight, Darius Lovelace, Danielle Lovelace and Candi Stewart. School director Lisa Gregory dissented. Board member Roxanne Thompson was unable to participate in the formal vote due to issues with her Zoom connection.

“I still think we cannot ask at this point in time for a tax increase any way, shape or form, and I stand firm on that,” Lisa Gregory said.

The tax increase to West Leechburg has been a point of contention this year.

The board had eight budget options to choose from, including one that wouldn’t increase taxes to the Westmoreland County borough.

West Leechburg residents presented the board with a petition signed by more than 350 people asking it to go with that option.

Board President Neill Brady said going with that option would not be fiscally responsible because it would leave the district with a deficit of close to $1 million.

He suggested the option that would increase West Leechburg’s taxes by 4.94 mills to 136.59 mills, a lower tax increase than others that were previously discussed.

The board’s preliminary budget called for an 8.89-mill tax increase in West Leechburg and no increase to Leechburg and Gilpin. After residents expressed concerns, the board considered another option that would increase taxes for West Leechburg by about 5.45 mills, and decrease taxes for Leechburg and Gilpin by roughly 1.84 mills.

“We do hear you,” Brady said.

Business Manager Brad Walker said the tax increase is completely attributable to the tax equalization formula. The tax rate the school board set reduces the amount of local property tax revenue the district will receive next fiscal year by about $74,552.

During a residents-only meeting last week, West Leechburg officials and residents said they would explore potentially merging with Allegheny Township or seceding from Leechburg Area School District. That hasn’t changed.

“I appreciate the school board choosing a lower tax option, but it’s too little, too late,” West Leechburg Councilman Matthew Grantz said. “The district is too much of a burden to all our taxpayers. I think efforts at leaving the district have to continue.”

West Leechburg Councilwoman Marcia Cole and Tammy Jo Capozzoli, the West Leechburg resident who organized the residents-only meeting, agreed.

“My thoughts, and from what I can see the thoughts of others, is to move forward with leaving the school district,” Capozzoli said. “There is no other way for the school to stay afloat over the next however many years without raising taxes.”