Proposed 2023 Pine budget keeps property tax unchanged, likely to again be lowest rate in the county

Pine Township supervisors approved a preliminary budget for 2023 that keeps the property tax rate unchanged and likely will allow the municipality to continue to have the lowest tax rate among Allegheny County’s 130 municipalities.

The more than $14.98 million general fund budget proposed for 2023 is 8.53% higher than 2022.

The slow but steady economic recovery that has been occurring since the covid-19 shutdowns ended has resulted in more tax revenue for the municipality, which is expecting to take in about $2 million more than it plans to spend.

“In developing the 2022 budget, we were very cautious in predicting how quickly the economy would bounce back,” township manager Jason Kratsas said in his budget address to the board of supervisors. “Although we continue to be cautious in light of national economic trends, we still expect a modest increase in property and income taxes.”

The rate used to calculate property tax bills will remain at 0.998 mills, which was the lowest in Allegheny County this year. The unchanged rate means property owners will continue to pay 0.998 cents for every $1,000 of their property’s assessed value, or $99.80 a year for a home valued at $100,000.

Pine’s position of having the lowest property tax rate in the county will stand unless another municipality approves a budget that cuts taxes significantly.

The next lowest property tax rate in the county is in McCandless, which set it at 1.236 mills for 2022 followed by Franklin Park, which has a rate of 1.29 mills.

Notable increases in funding for next year include an additional 3.93% for the Wexford Volunteer Fire Co., which is slated to receive $275,530 in financial support for general operating expenses along with a reimbursement of more than $1.62 million for equipment purchases and construction projects. The township also covers the cost of workers’ compensation, property insurance on vehicles and buildings and administrative support services for the fire department.

The Northern Regional Police Department also will get a 4.1% boost in funding from the township, which shares the cost for providing police protection with Richland, Marshall and Bradford Woods.

The increase in funding brings the amount earmarked for police services to a little more than $2.196 million.

Also getting more money for operations is the Northern Tier Regional Library. The township will provide $299,090 next year to the library, which is an increase of of 3.08%.

Kratsas noted in his budget address that much of the focus next year in terms of capital projects will be on making improvements to Pine Community Park. Work already has begun on a new multipurpose-all weather field system that is expected to be completed in the spring. Plans are in the works for the township to complete a master plan for the parks that likely is to include expansion of the trail system, playgrounds and additional gathering points.

Kratsas noted that while the township has completed the bulk of water pollution controls that are being required by the state Department of Environmental Protection, preventing runoff and other steps to reduce pollution will continue to be “significant budget items.”

Plans also call for the township to undertake several projects to improve transportation, including improvement to the system of traffic signals along Route 19. Work also is being planned to improve the intersection of Babcock Boulevard and Bakerstown Road.

By law, the township must approve and submit a balanced budget to the state before the end of the year. The board is expected to vote on whether to grant final approval for the budge at its Dec. 5 meeting.