Irwin budget for 2022: No tax hike proposed
Irwin officials have proposed a $4.16 million budget for 2022 that holds the line on taxes without cutting any programs or services.
The budget is available for review at the borough office. Council is scheduled to approve it at the Dec. 8 meeting.
The borough last year raised property taxes by 15% — from 20 mills to 23 mills. Irwin anticipates receiving $643,000 through real estate taxes.
Shari Martino, borough manager, said the budget is tight but provides money for raises.
Under the proposed budget, police Chief Dan Wensel will be the highest-paid employee at $71,760. Martino will receive a salary of $56,238, while the assistant borough manager, Stacie Santimyer, will be paid $40,102. Charlie Humes, planning and zoning manager, will be paid $47,250, and Randy Altman, public works director, will be paid $51,946.
The borough will have $195,940 in federal CARES Act funding as part of the government’s covid relief efforts. There are restrictions on how municipalities can spend the CARES Act funds.
The Irwin Volunteer Fire Department will again receive the revenue from one mill. The special fire tax, which Irwin officials instituted last year, will generate about $30,000. The fire department must use the money for capital expenditures. The department wants to move from its Western Avenue location and is looking at the former Sixth Street School property as a possible site.
Fire Chief Justin Mochar has said he hopes the department can break ground in the spring. The borough this month approved transferring ownership of the site to the fire department.
Joe Napsha is a TribLive reporter covering Irwin, North Huntingdon and the Norwin School District. He also writes about business issues. He grew up on Neville Island and has worked at the Trib since the early 1980s. He can be reached at jnapsha@triblive.com.
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