Irwin property owners will pay more in real estate taxes in 2023 to support government operations as a result of a two-mill tax hike earmarked to pay for street lights.

The borough council on Wednesday approved a $5.29 million budget, including a $4.2 million general fund to pay for government operations, which will increase real estate taxes by 8.6% — from 23 to 25 mills.

The two-mill tax hike will provide $60,000 for the street lights bill, which previously had been paid out of the general fund. Creating the separate fund to pay for the street lights allows for more money for the capital budget to repair the leaking borough building roof, Shari Martino, borough manager, said Thursday.

The budget also provides for a $6,000 increase in the borough’s allocation to the Irwin Volunteer Fire Department, which will be raised to $69,800, about an 8% hike.

The fire department also will continue to receive revenue from one mill of real estate tax — about $30,000. That was added in 2021 for the fire department’s capital spending. The department is considering building a new hall at the vacant property that held the Sixth Street School.

Councilman Michael Yunn was the lone opponent to the tax hike and the budget.

Following the meeting, Yunn said the borough’s spending in the budget was “out of control” and that there was “irresponsible spending.”

In defense of the budget that was approved by a 4-1 vote, Martino said Thursday the borough “is operating on a shoestring budget” and “there is no wiggle room.”

Council President Rick Burdelski on Thursday disputed Yunn’s assessment, saying that “we’re on top of it (budget)” and that council members “have eyes on it” throughout the year.

Brian Yost complained to council prior to the budget vote that it could reduce costs by eliminating some of the street lights, particularly ones that are on each side of a street.

Yost said he believed that there are between 30 and 40 street lights that could be turned off, including some in the alleys.

“There are lights that are not necessary,” Yost said, adding that lights across the street from each other illuminate the street so much that “you could read a book by the street lights at 2 a.m.”

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