Hempfield supervisors agreed Monday to pitch in more for the township property tax collector’s compensation, a figure officials said had gone unchanged for decades.
Supervisor Doug Weimer estimated it’s likely been 35 years since the elected office has gotten a raise.
“I think we’re overdue on changing the compensation formula,” he said.
Supervisors unanimously approved moving to a system that will pay the elected tax collector $1 per mailing of regular and supplemental bills as well as payment reminders. In 2024, there were 21,752 such mailings, according to information provided by the tax collector to the township.
The change will go into effect for the next four-year term, which starts in 2026, said township manager Aaron Siko. The tax collector currently gets a fixed annual fee of $13,000 from the township.
Faye Rosatti won election to the four-year term in 2021. She could not be reached Tuesday.
Rosatti requested supervisors and Hempfield Area school directors adjust their compensation rates, citing operational costs. Township supervisors discussed the matter during their workshop session last week and asked Siko to come up with some options for them to consider. Among the choices were paying a fixed rate or a percentage-based commission.
The school district pays the tax collector $3 per bill for Hempfield residents. Rosatti had requested the district switch to a percentage commission based on amount collected to come in line with tax collectors in other municipalities served by the district. School directors voted to maintain the $3 per bill compensation during a meeting last week.
Rosatti’s office is at the township building.