No tax increase anticipated for Upper Burrell

Upper Burrell’s proposed budget for next year does not include a property tax increase.

The proposed budget totals almost $1.3 million, according to Secretary Melissa Cortileso.

“It’s great. There’s no increase in taxes,” said Supervisors Chairman Ross G. Walker III. “Taxes remain low. We’re doing our fiscal responsibility.”

The owner of a home assessed at $22,000, the median assessed value in Upper Burrell, would continue to pay $264 in 2026 for township real estate property taxes, which will stay at 12 mills.

There are no projects or service cuts in the proposal, Walker said.

Budget amounts are about the same from 2025 to 2026.

Police and public safety make up the largest share of the proposed budget’s expenditures at almost $437,000. Upper Burrell has three full-time officers, Walker said.

Highway repair makes up the second largest share of the proposal’s expenditures at about $227,000, with a majority of that money going to wages.

The proposal allocates $92,000 for fire protection, which, when broken down equals a $20,000 direct contribution to the township’s volunteer fire department, a $40,000 local services tax contribution, $11,000 in workman’s compensation insurance payments, $18,000 in fireman’s relief fund payments and $3,000 in fuel.

Largest sources of income include $483,000 in Act 511 tax revenue (including earned income and local services taxes) and $439,000 in real estate tax revenue.

Upper Burrell last had a tax increase in 2022 when property taxes jumped 20%. That was the first tax increase in 16 years.

Final adoption of the budget is slated during a meeting Dec. 3.