Lower Burrell property owners won’t see an increase in their real estate taxes next year but they will likely have an increase in their recycling and sewage bills.

Council this week approved a budget plan for 2026 that holds the millage rate at 24.75 mills.

A home at Lower Burrell’s median assessed value of $20,389 would continue to pay $504 annually for city property taxes, or $42 monthly.

However, there is an $8 per year increase to recycling and a $48 per year increase to the average sewage bill, Mayor Chris Fabry said.

Rate increases

Lower Burrell is proposing to increase sewer rates. For an average household, based on 10,000 gallons per quarter usage, bills would go from about $162 per quarter to $175. An average monthly increase would go from $55 to $59.

City Manager Greg Primm said that Lower Burrell is required to remit an annual sewer revenue payment to the Municipal Sanitary Authority of the City of New Kensington, or MSANK.

Next year, MSANK is increasing its annual revenue assessment to Lower Burrell from $2.177 million to $2.284 million, about a 5% increase, Primm said.

“This assessment funds regional wastewater treatment and compliance obligations that are outside the city’s direct control,” Primm said. “To ensure continued fiscal responsibility, the city must pass through this cost increase to maintain a balanced sewer fund.

”The proposed 5% rate adjustment for 2026 reflects this external cost increase and supports sustainable system operations.”

Fiscal responsibilities for Lower Burrell’s sewage system include operation and maintenance of collection and transmission infrastructure, pump station upkeep and energy costs, and debt service on capital improvements, Primm said.

Rate revenues must fully support these obligations to avoid deferred maintenance or infrastructure failure, he said.

The other rate increase anticipated next year is for recycling.

The city’s contract with Waste Management dictates an increase every year per residential unit charged to the city, Primm said.

The residential rate currently being charged is $5.33 per unit month, or $16 per quarter. To meet next year’s contract obligation, recycling rates are proposed to increase to $6 per unit per month, or $18 per quarter.

The budget

Real estate taxes in Lower Burrell are expected to hold for the sixth consecutive year.

The proposed budget totals just more than $12 million. It includes just less than $8 million in the general fund, $3.8 million in the sewer fund and just under $523,000 in liquid fuels.

Just more than $259,000 is budgeted for a summer road project, Primm said.

Exactly what streets will be paved is still under review by the city’s engineer and public works director, he said.

Other capital projects include storm pipelining on Oakridge and Sylvan drives; liner replacement, inlets and storm pipelining on Rodgers Drive; inlet instillation and storm pipelining on Wayne Street; liner, storm pipelining and an access box on Valleyview Drive; and a stormwater line replacement on Carl Avenue.

The proposed budget continues a $105,000 contractual obligation to the city’s fire departments and $95,000 in additional fire department support with natural gas royalty money. It also keeps its $88,000 allocation for EMS.

“This budget reflects the balance we strive for every year in providing the services our residents expect while being mindful of the cost to our taxpayers,” Fabry said. “Keeping taxes steady for six consecutive years while maintaining public safety, infrastructure and community programs is no small task.

“We continue to face the same economic pressures that challenge every household and business. I’m incredibly proud of our department heads and especially City Manager Greg Primm for finding efficiencies without sacrificing quality of service.”

Budget adoption is scheduled at a city council meeting 7 p.m. Dec. 8 at City Hall, 115 Schreiber St.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)