Leet property owners will see their township real estate taxes go up about 18% next year.
The township commissioners voted 4-0 on Dec. 9 to pass the 2025 budget, which includes the first township tax hike in the last seven years. Commissioner Rody Nash was absent.
The millage rate will increase from 7.7 mills to 9.1 mills, which is a 1.4-mill bump.
Allegheny County lists Leet’s median assessed property value at $127,600.
That property owner will see their township tax bills go from about $982 to $1,161 next year, which is an increase of $179.
Budgeted revenues and expenses were listed at about $2.212 million.
Township manager Betsy Rengers said the only change to the budget from last month’s draft to its final form was the restoration of a $2,500 stipend for code enforcement. Rengers has handled those responsibilities for at least six years.
Commissioners talked in November about handing off code enforcement duties to the police department, but no such decision was made.
Other budgetary figures remained the same.
There were no cuts to programs or services.
Projected income includes more than $1 million in real estate taxes; just over $400,000 in Act 511 taxes, including earned income/wage taxes; $375,000 in intergovernmental monies, about $43,000 in licenses and permits, $18,000 in charges for services, $11,500 in interest, rents and royalties and $9,600 in fines and forfeits.
Projected spending includes just over $800,000 for police, about $500,000 for public works; $380,000 for general government, including administrative and commissioners’ salaries; legal services, insurance and accounting; $193,000 for parks and recreation; $100,100 for fire protection; $14,500 for code enforcement; and $7,500 for planning and zoning.
Commission president Martin McDaniel said the driving factors of the tax hike include an $80,000 drop in earned income taxes, the return of family health care plans for police as well as the hiring of a new full-time officer.
“In order to have a police department here, we have to be competitive,” McDaniel said. “We’re having trouble getting (officer candidates) to apply. … It’s hard to get police officers anymore because of the culture of what’s going on.”
The township force is expected to grow from five full-timers, including Chief Brian Jameson, to six full-time officers.
Health care is projected to go up from $38,777 to more than $89,000, a more than $50,000 jump.
Total police wage projections are also increasing.
Martin said the township budgeted $265,000 this year and $357,000 for 2025, a $92,000 jump.
Pensions were also projected to go up from $77,000 to $124,000, an estimated $47,000 jump.
“We did what we had to do to balance our budget,” commission vice president Dan Peluso said. “It’s important. If you want to have a police department, you have to have police officers.”
In other business
•The commissioners approved taking out a tax anticipation note, which is a loan municipalities and school districts sometimes get to cover expenses until tax money starts rolling in.
Leet’s loan is $150,000 from First National Bank at a 5.89% rate.
•The commissioners approved spending the township’s remaining $168,000 American Rescue Plan funds on a backhoe and leaf vacuum with a box for the public works department and a carport for the police department.
The backhoe will cost around $84,000. The vacuum and equipment will be about $80,000 and the carport was listed at about $6,400. About $2,400 in township money may be spent to finalize the purchases.
Appointments
• Chuck Soman was appointed to the zoning hearing board for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2027.
• Jeff Besong was appointed to the planning commission for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2028.
• Gary Augustine was appointed to the Leet Township Municipal Authority board for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2029.