Lower Burrell Council approves 2023 preliminary budget with no tax hike

Lower Burrell’s 2023 budget of $11 million, which is 2.1% higher than this year’s budget, will include no tax increase.

City council and the mayor voted unanimously, 5-0, to approve the preliminary budget.

The $11 million preliminary budget holds the line on real estate taxes for next year at 24.75 mills. An average property, assessed at $20,000 again would be subject to a real estate tax of $495.

“Everyone worked very hard this year to stave off a tax increase,” said Chris Fabry, city councilman and chairman of the finance department.

City Manager Amy Rockwell and Fabry met with council members who supervise city departments to review and cut spending, Fabry said.

Lower Burrell’s budget covers the operations of the city and its sewage department. The city’s operating funds for 2023 are $420,000 higher than this year, Fabry said.

Some of the main factors driving budget increases include contracted salary increases, pension contributions, insurance premiums and rising costs for fuel, electricity and materials, he said.

This year, the city was able to cover the overage. Revenue is expected to increase by $250,000 in 2023, and the rest of the budget shortfall will be covered by funds left over from the $3.3 million city hall renovation in 2020, Fabry said.

“This is a short-term solution,” Fabry said. “I do not want to borrow from the general fund to offset our expenses.”

The city has to continue trimming what he called excess spending.

In the future, the city will have to look at more affordable alternatives for services, utilities and supplies, Fabry said.

“Council knows this is a continual uphill battle and are already looking ahead to 2024’s budget,” he added.

Council plans to vote on final approval of the budget at its next regular meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 12.