New Kensington Council has scheduled a special meeting to adopt the city’s 2020 budget, which includes a proposed property tax increase.
Council will meet at 5 p.m. Dec. 30 in council chambers at city hall, 301 11th St.
Council earlier this month approved an $8.1 million preliminary budget that would increase the property tax rate by 3 mills, or 10.3%, from 29.03 mills to 32.03 mills.
The entire increase is accounted for in the tax supporting the city’s general fund, which would increase from 27 mills to 30 mills. Taxes supporting the library (0.44 mills) and recreation (1.59 mills) would not change, according to the city.
The owner of a home assessed at $25,000 would see their tax bill increase by about $75, from about $726 to $801.
City officials have said eliminating blight is part of the reason for the increase. The city wants to acquire and tear down about 100 abandoned homes over the next three years.
