Sewickley property owners will not have to pay more in borough real estate taxes next year.
Council voted unanimously on Dec. 10 to pass the borough’s projected $10.76 million spending plan and maintain the millage rate at 6.25 mills. The garbage collection and sewer fees also will remain the same.
The borough has not raised taxes for at least seven years.
Borough manager Donna Kaib said there were some minor adjustments to the budget from its proposed form in November.
Changes include reducing an $85,000 payment to Cochran Hose Company to the contracted $70,000.
Another money move was boosting support for the borough’s Historic Review Commission from $10,000 to $15,000.
Other budgetary figures remained the same. There were no cuts to programs or services.
Projected income includes about $3.238 million in real estate taxes; $2.17 million in Act 511 taxes, including earned income and business privilege taxes; $1.181 million in state funds; $592,000 in parking fines and revenues; close to $130,000 in charges for service; $76,500 in interest earnings; $76,400 in business licenses and fines; $40,200 in rents and royalties; and $17,000 in fines and forfeits.
Projected spending includes $2.28 million for police protection; about $560,000 for government executive expenses, including administrative salaries and benefits; just under $363,000 for municipal building upkeep, $316,000 for fire protection, $177,000 for engineering services, $168,000 for solicitor services, $63,800 for tax collection, $46,900 for EMS, $31,250 for code enforcement and $26,900 for auditing.
Borough council and the administration have been crunching the numbers the past few months.
“I like doing budgets,” Kaib said. “It’s one of my favorite things. I like working with numbers and I love balancing and seeing how close I can get the numbers from year to year.”
Council members said it is important to be fiscally responsible while ensuring the safety and security of their residents.
“Sewickley can be proud that we are living within our means and holding the line on taxes at the same time we are tackling a backlog of infrastructure projects,” council president Cynthia Mullins said after the meeting. “We continue to focus on improving the wastewater treatment system and sewer infrastructure, maintain a robust paving program and upgrade our parks.
“We are also focusing on improving pedestrian safety in the Village Overlay near the (Sewickley Valley) YMCA.”
The borough allocated $700,000 for paving next year — which is a $100,000 boost from this year’s paving budget.
Kaib said a list of streets to be repaired has not been finalized.
About $250,000 is allocated for sidewalks and crosswalks, including money for an engineering study in some of the borough’s busiest areas.
Tom Rostek, councilman and parks and recreation chair, said he is excited about a variety of upgrades planned for next year.
About $400,000 was earmarked for park maintenance and new equipment.
Projects include new playground equipment at Maple Lane Park, new tennis and basketball courts in Chadwick Street Park and playground improvements at War Memorial Park.
“We’re really excited to get (these projects) moving,” Rostek said.
Capital purchases include a new LeafVac system and street sweeper for the public works department.