Preliminary Cheswick budget calls for no property tax hike but utility rate to increase

Cheswick’s real estate tax rate won’t go up next year, but some utility rates would increase, according to the borough’s preliminary budget.

Residents would pay a combined $76 more per year with the utility hikes, $56 for fixed water rates and $20 for refuse rates. Sewage and variable water rates would remain the same.

Without a tax increase, homeowners with Cheswick’s median assessed value of $106,650 would continue to pay about $624 in borough property taxes annually.

Councilman Frank Meledandri, the borough’s finance chair, said the borough opted to raise the fixed water rates ahead of future infrastructure improvements.

“We need to have extra money over and above our expenses to prepare for capital improvements,” Meledandri said.

As for the garbage collection increase, he said council was simply passing along a contractual increase from County Hauling to residents.

The bulk of the budget sits in the borough’s general fund. Projected revenues for that fund are set at about $1.39 million, while expenses would be $1.35 million.

That represents a less than a 2% increase from this year on both sides of the ledger.

Most of the borough’s general fund is earmarked for the borough’s payroll, public works spending, garbage services and Cheswick’s contribution to Allegheny Valley Regional Police.

Meledandri said the borough would also spend about $480,000 on local projects, including water line improvements and a restroom at Rachel Carson Riverfront Park.

The borough’s state liquid fuels tax fund, used to pay for street lighting and winter road maintenance, is projected to have about a $9,300 deficit.

But Meledandri said the borough would cover the costs from money left over from this year.

“It’s not a long-term problem,” he said.

Cheswick Council will take a final vote on the budget Dec. 2.