Aspinwall property owners will not have to pay more in borough real estate taxes next year.
Council voted 6-0 on Dec. 11 to pass its 2025 budget and maintain the millage rate at 8.36 mills, including 0.5-mill for public safety. Councilman Lou Curcio was absent.
One mill generates about $150,000 in revenue.
Borough Manager Melissa Lang O’Malley said sewage and water fees also will remain the same next year.
Garbage bills are expected to increase in May as part of an extended contract with Lower Burrell-based hauler Shank Waste. More information about the projected new bills was not available at press time.
Projected revenue and expenditures in the borough budget are listed at about $3.764 million.
Income includes $2.058 million in real estate taxes, $1.09 million in local enabling taxes including earned income and business privilege taxes, $129,600 in fines and forfeits including parking tickets, $196,400 in miscellaneous income, $108,000 in intergovernmental revenues and $3,100 in state shared revenue.
Expenses include just over $814,000 for police; about $150,000 for fire protection; just under $150,000 for executive spending, including administrative salaries; about $142,000 for legislative spending, including council and mayor salaries, association dues, Council of Governments contributions, equipment and accounting services; almost $95,000 for parks; about $62,000 for planning and zoning; $48,000 for tax collection; and $35,000 for legal services.
There were no major changes to the budget since its draft was advertised in November.
Council President Jeff Harris said the administration and other budget planners were meticulous when delineating financial projections.
“The budget process went very well this year, which is a testament to a solid team effort between the finance committee, council and borough staff,” Harris said. “We did not have any last-minute surprises, and we are in good financial standing to meet our needs in 2025.
“While we have all our bases covered on the standard budget items and have some needed street repairs, we do have the large Sixth Street wall project that has been in the plans for the past few years. While we still pursue additional funding support, I look forward to getting that large project underway when appropriate.”
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O’Malley also cited the retaining wall restoration as a major repair for next year, as well as other infrastructure upgrades.
About $148,000 is budgeted for paving and brick work.
The borough plans to rebrick Emerson, Delafield, Lexington and Fourth avenues.
A new pickleball court and a multiuse court for the Aspinwall Recreation Area off Field Avenue also are part of the capital improvement plans.
The hope is to have those courts ready for play by the summer. There were no cuts to programs or services.
Last year, Aspinwall raised taxes by about 22%, with some funds allocated for emergency services. It raised its business privilege tax from $100 to $500 in August 2023. The borough hiked parking fines in May 2022.