No tax hike planned in Aspinwall's preliminary 2023 budget

Aspinwall officials plan no tax increases in 2023.

Budget documents indicate the property tax rate will remain at 6.86 mills.

Council unanimously voted Nov. 9 to advertise its 2023 preliminary budget.

“Everything’s pretty much status quo this year,” borough Manager Melissa O’Maley said. She noted there were no significant challenges formulating the spending plan.

“Everything in the budget is basically the same as last year,” she said. “Nothing’s been changed or added.”

The borough’s last tax increase was in 2019 from 5.86 mills to 6.86 mills.

Proposed revenue for 2023 was listed at about $3.1 million and expenses at $3.055 million, a projected surplus for next year of at least $45,000.

Income includes $1.733 million in property taxes; $871,500 in local enabling taxes, including business privilege and earned income taxes; $173,750 in miscellaneous revenues; $99,000 in intergovernmental revenues; $77,250 in fines; and $19,100 in licenses and permits.

Expenses include $790,300 for police; $127,500 for legislative costs, which include council and mayor salaries, advertisements and rental of office equipment; $130,350 for executive salaries; $90,000 for parks and recreation; $88,100 for buildings, including maintenance and related salaries; $74,250 for fire protection; $72,000 for planning and zoning; $38,200 for tax collection; and $35,000 for legal services.

Council President Tim McLaughlin said his council colleagues, the borough manger and her team have worked diligently to maintain all services without putting an additional burden on taxpayers.

“We have spent an enormous amount of time and resources to rightsize each line item in our budget over the last few years,” he said. “It’s far from perfect, but we do our best to allocate the appropriate funds to each area, account for matching grant funds and be frugal, while still providing our residents with the services they expect.”

Heth Turnquist, councilman and finance chair, said he does not expect any changes to the proposed budget leading up to its Dec. 14 adoption.

He cited the borough’s strong tax base and collections as additional reasons to keep things status quo despite inflation.

“Aspinwall has been fortunate in that we have property tax revenue and earned income tax revenue continued to increase at a level similar to increasing costs,” Turnquist said. “We are all having to deal with increased costs for fuel and materials and need to work together.

“I wish there were a way to have a larger financial reserve, but it is up to the borough to make sure we are frugal and financially smart during these challenging times. I am glad that we can avoid raising taxes or fees given the financial pinch that increased costs for most items and services is putting on our residents.”

The budget includes money for upgrades at Fireman’s Memorial Park.

The state awarded a $45,290 grant and a $52,800 grant for renovation of the park pavilion, accessibility and other related projects. Grants were announced earlier this year and administered through the Department of Community and Economic Development and come with a 15% match.

The borough also allocated $75,000 for paving next year.

“We have been doing a good job addressing the aging infrastructure and streets over the last several years despite increased costs,” Turnquist said. “That residents can see the recent improvements to Second Street or improvements in our sewer capacity to deal with heavy rains hopefully gives them confidence that the council and borough staff are doing a good job as financial stewards.”

The budget is available for review at the borough office, 217 Commercial Ave.