No tax increase in East Deer 2022 budget, but commissioners approve rise in water rates

East Deer Township residents would not see a tax increase from the proposed $1.3 million budget for 2022.

Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the preliminary budget during their Thursday evening meeting. The board will vote to approve the final budget Dec. 31. The property tax rate would remain at 4.9 mills.

East Deer Commissioner Chairman Tony Taliani said taxes have not been raised in eight or nine years. The 2021 $1.5 million budget saw no tax increase.

“We are going to continue to study it and review and make any changes that are necessary,” Taliani said.

The budget also includes two projects dealing with water and sewage. Both projects total out to $400,000 with two separate grants. One project involves water work and replacing water lines and fire hydrants. The other project involves sewer separation on Bellview Street and eradicating a landslide on Crystal View Drive.

Despite no tax increase, water rates for residents will rise. Commissioners unanimously voted to approve increasing the cost by 3 cents per gallon. The increase begins Dec. 1.

East Deer, which does not have a water plant, buys water from Tarentum. In 2020, Tarentum council approved a 15% increase in rates it charges East Deer. For every thousand gallons a household uses, the cost will be 10 cents more, Taliani said.

“If they hadn’t increased the cost to us, we wouldn’t have done it,” he said.