Indiana Township property owners will not have to pay more in township property taxes next year.
Some township volunteer firefighters also will receive a tax break as part of a new relief program.
Supervisors unanimously voted to pass their estimated $6.5 million 2025 budget.
The millage rate remains at 3.47 mills, with 2.99 mills for township operations and 0.48-mill for the fire departments.
There are no cuts to programs or services.
Projected income includes about $2.58 million in Act 511 taxes including earned income and local services tax; $2.36 million in real estate taxes; $248,000 in recreational and environmental fees; $236,500 in shared state revenues; $235,500 in franchise fees, fines, interest and permits; and $65,000 in health insurance reimbursements.
Projected spending includes $1.85 million for police; $1.551 million for highway maintenance and public infrastructure; $980,000 for insurance; $619,600 for administration including salaries, benefits and supplies; $225,000 for code enforcement; $129,000 for planning and zoning and emergency management; $115,500 for fire protection; and $87,500 for tax collection.
Mayor Albert Kaan said there were no changes from the proposed budget released earlier.
“It’s a balanced budget like we want,” Kaan said. “We have been very careful with our money, and we’ve saved up money, and we really didn’t have to make any changes or cut any service because we’ve watched what we spend and where we spend it. We continue to want to do that.”
Spending highlights
The township has budgeted about $500,000 for paving next year. A list of streets to be repaired is expected to be announced in the coming months.
Township Manager Dan Anderson said roads are evaluated annually by the township engineer and public works officials.
“We do try to do them strategically, based on the need and condition (and focus on) those that need it most,” Anderson said. “We try to do them in the general area of each other to get as much done as we can each year.”
Some of the capital projects being planned for next year include $57,000 for computers for the police department and $67,000 for a new police car.
“They are important upgrades and they will be nice improvements for the police department,” Anderson said. He also lauded police Chief Steven Colucci for acquiring about $25,000 in federal grants to help offset purchase costs.
A major construction project is expected to be completed before the end of winter. Pampena Landscape & Construction crews have been working to expand the township’s salt shed.
Supervisors earlier this year awarded a $391,000 contract to the Pittsburgh-based company to increase the shed’s capacity by about 60%.
The township budgeted about $425,000 for the project, which includes new metal siding and extended roof.
Anderson said the goal is to protect the salt from the elements and make it easier for public works to get the product more efficiently when treating the roads.
“We’ve had times when you have a lot of repeated heavy weather events,” Anderson said. “In the winter, getting that salt delivered can be difficult. With the increased storage facility, we should be able to maintain adequate salt supplies through the winters.”
The township’s contribution to the Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel was boosted from $15,000 to $20,000, and $100,000 is planned for a new sidewalk at Emmerling Park.
Firefighter tax break
Supervisors approved a list of 16 firefighters who qualified for the tax break program, including two who received real estate tax relief, four who received earned income tax relief and 10 who received both tax breaks.
The township, in September 2023, passed an ordinance establishing a volunteer service credit program to help firefighters get township tax relief should they meet certain criteria.
The criteria, which was later established by resolution, includes being in good standing with their entities’ bylaws and being an active firefighter or business member with at least 50 hours of service for the year.
Service hours include training, call participation, public relations, community events and/or fundraisers.
The township has three volunteer fire departments.
Those that qualify are eligible for a real estate tax credit of up to $3,000 and an earned income tax credit of up to $1,000, according to township documents.
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The median home value in the township is $149,100. That property owner pays about $517 in township property taxes.
The township’s earned income tax rate is 0.5%.
That means a qualified volunteer could make up to $200,000 a year and not have to pay township earned income tax.
Those who issue a false report on their tax relief application are fined $2,500, according to the ordinance.
“We wanted to do what we could to incentivize those exiting volunteers to continue, as well as give (fire departments) something to attract new recruits,” Anderson said. “Hopefully, this helps.”
Kaan said the program is fully supported by all the township supervisors.
“They deserve everything they can get for what they do for us,” Kaan said. “They are volunteers, and they volunteer a lot of time. They should be compensated a little bit for everything they do.”