Homeowners in Leechburg will pay a slight increase in their property tax this year.

Leechburg Council passed a $1.2 million budget for 2021 that includes a property tax hike of less than 1%.

The new tax rate is 22.5 mills, which is a slight increase from last year’s rate of 22.321 mills.

Councilwoman Ruth Bender said council was able to “balance the budget early” and pass a final budget Nov. 17 by a vote of 7-0.

“I proposed a small increase that can prevent a large increase from happening, and we’re trying to be more mindful of the tax burden on residents,” Bender said.

In 2019, council passed a $1.2 million budget that increased real estate taxes by 22%.

Officials at the time said the 4-mill property tax hike was used to increase police patrols to 24/7 coverage.

More than $320,400 is budgeted for public safety costs, which include the salaries of four part-time and three full-time borough police officers.

Mayor Wayne Dobos noted with the pandemic, people aren’t working as much and tax revenue from delinquent real estate taxes were down more than $7,000.

Delinquent borough real estate taxes collected in 2020 were just under $42,000.

Total taxes collected in 2020 were a little more than $720,000 , falling short of the anticipated amount by roughly $3,000.

Revenue collected from highways, streets, parking meters and permits decreased more than $11,600 in 2020.

Facility rentals on hold

Council voted 6-1 to prohibit the rental of any borough facilities, citing rising covid-19. Councilwoman Lorrie Bazella voted against the move.

On Nov. 22, council had rejected a request to use the gazebo from Pastor Jim Arter.