Hempfield supervisors nix tax hike, but some warn fire funding issues remain

Hempfield supervisors on Monday narrowly rejected a 3-mill property tax increase for 2025.

But they hinted that the proposal could return when it comes time to prepare the 2026 budget.

“Guess what, you’re kicking the can down the road,” said Supervisor George Reese, who voted in favor of the 3 mill increase that would have created a dedicated stream of revenue to the township’s 10 fire departments.

Township officials created two budgets that were before the board Monday — one that held the property tax rate steady at 3 mills and a second that doubled the millage rate to include the proposed fire tax. The supervisors first rejected the preliminary spending plan that included the additional 3 mills in a 2-3 vote. Reese and Supervisor Tom Logan supported raising the levy that has remained unchanged since 1990.

Next, the board approved the $17 million preliminary budget that held property taxes at 3 mills in a 3-2 vote with Supervisors Jay Anderson, Bill Bretz and Doug Weimer casting the favorable votes.

The budget will have to come before the board one more time for a final vote.

Logan proposed the 3-mill tax increase as a way to keep up with rising fire department expenses without cutting into other services. As it stands now, the spending plan would decrease the township’s road paving budget from $2.5 million in 2024 to $1.8 million in 2025, said manager Aaron Siko.

A 3-mill dedicated fire tax would have raised township revenues to about $18.6 million and allow for the paving budget to remain at $2.5 million.

Several residents spoke out in opposition of the tax increase. Mary Weyant said it would be hard for people on a fixed income to afford.

“I think that’s asking a lot,” she said.

Reese and Logan said they were disappointed in the outcome and expect to see township services decrease because the increase was rejected.

“When we only pave or take care of 5% of our roads every year, don’t come and complain about the potholes,” Logan said.

Anderson, Bretz and Weimer said they were happy to pass a balanced budget that cut back on spending before raising taxes.

“If we can get another year, I’m OK with that,” Anderson said.

It’s getting more and more difficult though, Bretz said.

“We’ll take another very hard look at this next year,” he said.

Township officials can review the proposed spending plan before it comes before the board for a final vote in an effort to see if cuts can be spread around rather than the paving program taking a hit, Weimer said.

“We’re not going to be able to avoid raising taxes … very much longer,” he said. “I certainly want to hold off on doing that as long as I possibly can.”