Pine Township’s property tax millage rate remains unchanged at 0.998 mills in the 2026 budget, the lowest in Allegheny County.
In addition, the budget has been designed to accommodate the maximum allowable Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion in 2026 — 50% of the median assessed value of residential property in the township.
Combined, it is anticipated that the revenue across all funds will remain healthy at $18,751,560.
The township anticipates expenses of $18,707,010. Additionally, $5 million has been earmarked for potential land acquisition. The budget is balanced, with any land purchases funded through the township’s existing fund balance, ensuring no additional burden on taxpayers.
Overall general fund revenues are projected to decrease slightly in the 2026 budget. Act 511 revenues are conservatively estimated to decrease by $90,000, primarily because transfer taxes have not rebounded from decreasing interest rates in the current economy.
“Pine Township has continued to design its operating budget expenditures moderately due to the uncertain nature of public safety costs and funding revenue. The overall operating budget is proposed to increase 2.26% over 2025,” township Manager Jason Kratsas said.
The 2026 Capital Program is proposed to focus on enhancing all areas of the township’s infrastructure. Some of the highlights for next year include:
• Parks and Recreation improvements to add shaded areas in Pine Community Park;
• Planning for a new township municipal center and Pine Community Center expansion;
• Extensive improvements to stormwater management within the township.
“The 2026 budget will shift focus from new enhancements to the community to a focus on current infrastructure and service offerings,” Kratsas said.
In 2026, the township will focus on the maintenance and replacement of current infrastructure. The last pond upgrade in the Stormwater District Program is proposed to be completed in 2026. This pond in the Heights of North Park will conclude a decadelong program that has been integral in the capital enhancement of stormwater facilities across the township.
“Through this budget, we are taking a holistic approach to managing all services the township provides, from public safety to infrastructure, while avoiding any tax increase to our residents,” Supervisors Chairman Ryan Colombo said.
The budget includes funding for all public safety partners, including the Northern Regional Police Department (NRPD), Wexford Volunteer Fire Company (WVFC) and McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority (MFPAA). The 2026 budget has an increased focus on public safety because of increasing costs and the potential for more increases in the future. The police department and the fire department are the two main sources of increased costs for public safety as ambulance service in Pine has been stabilized until 2031 through a contracted service agreement with MFPAA.
Next year will see an increase in financial support to the fire company, which is slated to receive $1,122,360 in total, a 47.4% increase over 2025. The township has proposed adding township staffing positions within the Public Safety-Fire cost center to provide administrative support to the WVFC so the company can focus its efforts on the recruitment, training and management of volunteer firefighters.
The NRPD will receive $2,524,900 in support, an increase of 0.88% over 2025. The new collective bargaining agreement from 2025 and the addition of new leadership positions account for a large increase in spending in 2026.
“This cost center will be a focus area in 2026 and beyond due to the sharp increases in spending over the past five years. Additionally, the department is in need of a new police station. Proposals for a new station have come in very costly and are impractical in scope. The township will continue to work with the department to find a practical and sustainable solution to the station issue. The addition of substantial debt service for a new station will push the department spending into one of the largest spending departments in the region. This cost center will be impactful to the township budget,” Kratsas said.
The 2026 budget also ensures compliance with the state-mandated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) stormwater program.
“Moving forward, the next round of MS4 permits are expected to be released soon. These are anticipated to create extensive budget impacts. Therefore, along with growing Public Safety budget concerns, the township is budgeting conservatively to accommodate these increased costs,” Kratsas said.
Finally, the Pine branch of Northern Tier Regional Library in the Pine Community Center continues to thrive. The library will receive a contribution of $338,140 in the 2026 budget, an increase of 9.7% over 2025.
“The approved budget reflects Pine’s long-time commitment to financial responsibility while addressing the needs of the community in a forward-looking and balanced manner,” Supervisor Pat Avolio said.
The full budget is available for public inspection at the Pine Township Municipal Building, 230 Pearce Mill Road, and by searching for 2026 budget on the township’s website at twp.pine.pa.us. The supervisors approved the budget at the Dec. 15 meeting.