For the 19th straight year, McCandless has held the line on property taxes.
“There is no planned increase in the real estate tax millage” in the town’s proposed $28 million budget for 2024, said Assistant Town Manager and Finance Director Trisha Greathouse.
The real estate millage rate will remain at 1.236 mills.
The budget can be viewed at www.townofmccandless.org and or in-person at the Town Hall. Residents wanting to comment on the proposed $28 million package can do so at a Nov. 27 public hearing scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the town hall on Grubbs Road. The budget is scheduled to be adopted Dec. 11.
Greathouse made presentations about the spending plan at two council budget workshops on Oct. 23 and Nov. 13. This story is based on information presented at both meetings.
The total proposed police protection budget is $6.564 million, up from $6.382 million in 2023 due to increases associated with a collective bargaining agreement with the McCandless Police Officers Association, said Greathouse.
The township budgeted $129,000 to purchase three police vehicles to replace aging ones. While the police department attempts to reuse existing vehicle outfitting, Greathouse said, there could be additional costs of $10,000 to $12,000 each.
Similarly, additional legal fees are anticipated for negotiating a collective bargaining agreement with public works employees. The current agreement expires in 2024.
The proposed allocation for the Public Works department for 2024 is nearly $5.4 million.
The budget for snow and ice control went from $273,000 in 2023 to a proposed $650,220 for 2024. Greathouse said this looks to be a big jump but isn’t really. Since the winter was so mild last year the town reallocated some money budgeted for snow and ice removal for other expenditures.
The township currently has a full “salt dome,” she said.
The capital budget proposes spending $1.25 million for road paving, equal to 2023, Greathouse said.
While the McCandless/Northern Allegheny Heritage and Cultural Center conducts programs and fund raises to offset costs and build a capital reserve, the town is projecting an increase to $34,535 in 2024 from $29,200 from 2023.
The township is planning a replacement of playground equipment at both Vestal and Wall parks, proposed at $52,000 and $84,000, respectively.
The budget proposes a 5 percent funding increase to the local volunteer fire departments of Ingomar, Peebles and Highland, each to receive $179,160.
The fire companies buy their fuel through the township, since the municipality receives a discounted rate either through state purchasing or through the North Hills Council of Governments, said Greathouse. The town pays for worker’s compensation for the volunteer fire companies and property and liability insurance policies, according to the budget presentation. It also pays for volunteer firefighter physicals.
Matt Williams, chief of the Peebles Volunteer Fire Company, noted the proposed increase in 2024.
Williams requested that the fire departments receive assistance with fuel costs, since McCandless pays fuel costs for public works and police departments.
“We are providing public safety for our residents, and I don’t think it’s much to ask for a little bit more help,” he said.
Greathouse said the volunteer fire companies and the ambulance authority are nonprofits. The public works and police departments are managed by the town.
McCandless’s contribution to the Northland Public Library would increase by 1% to $664,350.
Greathouse said that all numbers are preliminary and could be changed by the time the final proposed budget reaches council for approval.
Natalie Beneviat is a Trib Total Media contributing writer.