Upper Burrell eyes $1.25 million budget with no tax increase

Upper Burrell’s $1.25 million proposed budget for 2024 does not include a tax increase for residents.

“We have a balanced budget,” Supervisor Mike Conley said. “There’s no tax increase. We’re holding the line.”

The proposal is similar to this year’s budget, Supervisors Chairman Ross Walker said. An average township home assessed at $22,000 would continue to pay $264 in 2024 for township real estate property taxes, which remain at 12 mills.

“We did have some extra money come in from impact fees (from Marcellus gas drilling,)” Walker said. “That helped us.”

The budget shows $52,000 in revenue from Act 13 Impact Fees, from Marcellus shale gas operations. There are four, and soon to be a fifth, Marcellus well pads in the township.

The proposal allots for just under $415,000 for police and public safety, $130,000 of which is for part-time officers. The township employs two full-time officers. Asked why the township doesn’t hire a third full-time officer, Walker said doing so would change the pension benefit and would make costs more expensive for the township.

“We’ve stayed away from a third full-time police officer mostly because of that,” he said.

Other expenditures include a new tractor for road maintenance. Roughly $119,000 is directed toward highways and streets.

The budget also shows $92,000 for public safety and fire, including a $20,000 direct contribution to the township’s volunteer fire department.

Supervisors will consider adopting the budget at their meeting Dec. 6.

The proposed budget is available for public review at the township’s municipal building, 3735 Seventh St. Road.