Leet property owners will not have to pay more in real estate taxes as part of the township’s 2026 budget.
Commissioners unanimously voted Dec. 8 to pass next year’s spending plan and maintain the millage rate at 9.1 mills.
Township officials raised taxes in the 2025 budget by 1.4 mills, the first tax increase in the last seven years.
There are no cuts to programs or services in the budget.
Township manager Betsy Rengers said there were no major financial changes from the proposed spending plan announced last month.
Budgeted revenues and expenses were listed at about $2.4 million.
Projected income includes about $1 million in real estate taxes, $380,790 in state revenues, $363,500 in earned income taxes, $65,000 in regional sales taxes, $36,000 in licenses and permits, $30,000 in local services tax and $21,800 in charges for services.
Projected spending includes about $806,500 for police including salaries, equipment, pensions and supplies; $578,700 for public works including salaries, equipment, show removal, street lights and storm water management projects; $386,500 for general government including legal services, commissioners salary, manager salary, tax collection, office supplies and insurances; $110,500 for fire protection, $12,750 for code enforcement and $5,000 for planning and zoning.
Commission president Martin McDaniel said everyone worked hard on the budget to address rising costs and cover services without needing a tax increase.
“We’re going to try to maintain fiscal responsibility and provide good service to our residents and all the departments. The police department is going to training classes and we have some young officers that seem to be doing well. We have engineering projects that are going on. … There will be a lot going on.”
Some of the things going on for next year include street repairs. The township budgeted about $50,000 for paving. A list of streets has not been announced.
The budget is available for review at the township office, 194 Ambridge Ave.
About $14,000 has been allocated for a new police vehicle.
Two projects funded through grants that are expected to be completed next year are the expansion of sidewalks along Main Street, the installation of a new war memorial.
In other business
Commissioners tabled action on an intergovernmental cooperative agreement with Allegheny County and Quaker Valley School District.
McDaniel said commissioners wanted more information and time to discuss the agreement.
Two new commissioners will be joining the board to start next year.
Township engineering firm, LSSE, is expected to take commissioners on a tour of the site in January.
Commissioners may vote on the agreement later that month.
The agreement is part of a highway occupancy permitting process for a proposed high school in the township.
The permit is necessary to realign parts of Camp Meeting Road at what will be the school property’s main entry points.
District documents show the primary access site will be 972 feet with realignment needing full-depth pavement, earthwork and drainage improvements. The secondary site will be 279 feet and will need full-depth shoulder replacement, milling and overlay along Camp Meeting Road, as well as clear sight lines by way of on-site clearing and grading.
Realignment also includes left- and right-turn lanes along Camp Meeting Road into the primary access site and utility relocation work and coordination.
The school board voted in favor of the agreement on Nov. 25.
It is unclear when county officials would approve it.
Saying goodbye
Commissioners said goodbye to vice president Dan Peluso and Rody Nash. They declined to run for reelection.
Their final meeting was Dec. 8.
They were given mementos with the township logo to commemorate the completion of their first four-year term.
Newcomers Jessica Cindrich and Paul Magee are expected to be sworn in as commissioners at the reorganization meeting, 6 p.m. Jan. 5.