Murrysville adopts 2022 budget, enacts 1st tax increase since 2007
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It wasn’t a property tax increase, but Murrysville officials adopted a $9.5 million 2022 budget this week that includes the municipality’s first tax hike of any kind since 2007.
The budget includes a projected $1.6 million in additional revenue by way of a bump in the municipality’s share of the earned income tax from 0.5% to 0.7%.
Enacted by ordinance in November, the move has no effect on the Franklin Regional School District’s share of the earned income tax, which remains at 0.5%.
Total real estate millage will remain at 12.15 mills — a mill is projected to generate $334,000 in 2022 — but the way it is allocated has changed:
• 5 mills ($1.75 million) will go to the municipality’s general fund.
• 3.2 mills ($1.06 million) will go to the capital reserve.
• 1.3 mills ($434,420) will go toward debt service.
• 1.35 mills ($450,900) will go toward emergency equipment purchases.
• 1 mill ($334,000) will be dedicated to the Murrysville Community Library.
• 0.1 mills ($33,500) will go to the municipality’s hydrant fund.
• 0.2 mills ($66,800) will go to Murrysville Medic One.
Additional revenue, about $600,000, will come from a bump in the real estate transfer tax from 0.5% to 1%. Murrysville Finance Director Diane Heming said it will be used for roadwork and capital projects.
Council voted 5-0 to approve the budget. Council members Dayne Dice and Jamie Lee Korns were not present.
Gas and oil lease
Council also voted 5-0 to grant a lease on gas and oil rights for just over 8.4 acres of municipal land in Pedora Park and a detention pond in the Spring View subdivision.
The lease is projected to generate $16,800 over a three-year period, and Chief Administrator Jim Morrison said the municipality will receive a 16% share of the royalties from production. The lease is related to the nearby Titan well pad, the first unconventional gas well approved in Murrysville.
“The recommendation is that the funds be used to make improvements at Pedora Park, which is scheduled to happen in 2022,” Morrison said.
Any remaining money could be put toward the maintenance schedule for other municipal parks.