Leechburg officials expected to hold the line on taxes in next year's budget

Leechburg property owners should not expect to pay more in real estate taxes as part of the borough’s 2022 budget.

Council recently authorized advertising next year’s preliminary spending plan, which maintains the tax rate at 22.5 mills.

The goal is to formally adopt the budget at the Dec. 21 meeting.

“This budget is very tight,” said Councilman Chuck Pascal. “It’s only projected to have a $7,000 cushion in it. We have to be very careful of not overspending the budget next year. There wasn’t any appetite to make that cushion a little bigger through a tax hike, so that’s where we are.”

Projected revenues were listed at just under $1.22 million, with expenses estimated at $1.229 million.

Budget documents indicate the borough will pull from a “beginning equity” fund to cover about $10,000.

Estimated income includes $454,000 in current real estate taxes, $55,000 in delinquent real estate taxes, $175,000 in income tax, $33,000 in business licenses and permits, $18,500 in fines and forfeits, $33,800 in state shared revenue and entitlements and $20,000 in parking permits and meter money.

Estimated expenses include $332,200 for public safety, $200,400 for sanitation, $169,300 for public works highways and roads, $13,500 for recreation and $218,300 for miscellaneous expenditures such as workers compensation, health care and other insurances.

Borough Secretary Bernice Roberts said the budget maintains services and does not have any major capital improvements or purchases.

The preliminary budget is available for review at the borough office, 260 Market St.

Council raised taxes a little less than 1% for this year’s budget.

Another spending plan that has yet to be decided is what to do with $208,000 in covid relief funds.

Pascal anticipates some of that discussion will take place at the December meeting.

“We hope to do some creative and positive things with that money,” he said. “We don’t know what that is yet. When we have extra money from the federal government, we want to put together a plan that makes some sense to help the people and help the town. I think it’s something we can manage.”

More information about borough activities is available at leechburgborough.org.