Greensburg property owners might see 3.3% tax hike in 2025

Property owners in Greensburg might see a 3.3% real estate tax increase next year.

City council is set for an initial vote next week on a proposed $13 million budget that carries a 0.9-mill property tax increase. Councilman Randy Finfrock said the increase would amount to $20 more annually for the average property owner.

“Even balancing our normal activities is going to result in a tax increase,” he said.

The average property tax bill in Greensburg is about $422.

It’s been 18 years, Finfrock said, since the city raised the millage rate specifically to bring in more revenue for the operating budget. Greensburg voters approved a referendum in 2017 to add a 1-mill tax designated for the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library. A 1-mill charge separate from property taxes enacted in 2022 provided a stream of funding dedicated to public safety costs.

“The fact that we’ve gone through a recession, we’ve gone through covid, we have a bout of record inflation and we’re only coming up with 0.9 mills of a tax increase in 18 years I don’t think is all that bad,” Finfrock said. “I think it’s all about fiscal responsibility.”

Part of the shortfall in the proposed spending plan for next year is a decrease in parking revenue, as well as an increase in costs because of inflation.

In the past, the city has used $1.2 million in revenue from parking leases and meter payments to offset the budget, but now that income has dwindled to about $700,000 with fewer spots being leased, he said.

“Parking has not returned to normal since covid,” he said.

Finfrock suggested adding parking meters in some city lots to try to recoup some of that loss.

“I think it’s a good idea,” said Mayor Robb Bell.

The proposed millage increase will bring in about $100,000, Finfrock said. City officials initially were looking at raising the rate by 5 or 6 mills, he said.

“We just can’t wring any more water out of this rag,” Bell said.

Under the proposed spending plan, the city intends to spend next year $4.8 million on the public affairs and safety department, which includes police and administration, $1.3 million on the public works department and $1.75 million on the parks and recreation department.

“Even going to 27.95 (mills) keeps us below almost everybody that’s a Third Class City or borough,” Finfrock said, referring to other Westmoreland County municipalities similar to Greensburg. “So it’s not that big of a deal.”

Council meets at 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at city hall to vote on matters related to the 2025 budget.