Lower Burrell holds the line on 2023 real estate taxes in final budget

Lower Burrell Council unanimously approved an $11 million final budget for 2023 with no tax increase.

The real estate tax rate for the city will remain at 24.75 mills. The owner of an average property, assessed at $20,000 again, would pay a real estate tax of $495.

Although next year’s budget is 2.1% higher than this year’s, the city avoided a tax increase with a projected increase in revenue and surplus funds left over from the $3.3 million city hall renovation in 2020, Councilman Chris Fabry said.

“I’m pleased that the budget passed with no changes to what was first presented,” he said. “It is important for city officials to work toward a balanced budget with a tax increase being a last resort.”

Lower Burrell’s budget covers the operations of the city and its sewage department. Increased costs for salaries, pension contributions, insurance premiums, fuel, electricity and materials are among the expenses driving the 2023 budget $420,000 higher than this year, Fabry said.

Although a tax increase was avoided for 2023, council will continue to work to keep costs down and to apply for more grants from the county, state and the federal government.

“Point persons have been established, and we’re optimistic we will see results,” Fabry said. “This type of funding is imperative for us to keep our tax rate the same.”