No property tax increase included in Oakmont's proposed 2026 budget

Oakmont Council has approved a preliminary budget for next year that calls for no increase in property tax.

Councilman John Arnold was the lone vote against the budget, which passed 6-1 on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Total revenue is projected to be just over $6 million. The borough is expecting just under $3 million in real estate taxes and about $2.1 million in Local Tax Enabling Act Taxes, which include income tax, deed transfers, business privilege taxes and others.

Total expenditures are projected to be just over $5.9 million, which could leave a $100,000 cushion at the end of next year.

Over $2.2 million is expected to be spent on police, which is about $500,000 more than this year’s police expenditures.

The borough’s police department employs eight full-time officers with another full-time hire expected in 2026. The department also utilizes four vehicles.

Nearly $1 million is projected for the borough’s public works department.

More than $430,000 is earmarked for the borough’s administration.

With the millage rate projected to stay at 4.95 mills, a homeowner with a median assessed property value of $155,000 would pay around $767 on their tax bill.

Council will continue to discuss the budget until its anticipated passage Dec. 16.