Plum property tax rate stays at 4.78 mills

The real estate tax rate remains the same for Plum in 2023.

Borough council on Dec. 14 approved a resolution setting the rate at 4.78 mills, its level since 2017. A mill generates about $1.6 million in tax revenue in Plum.

Council also voted to adopt the 2023 budget, which calls for operating expenditures of $15.4 million, an increase of $1.23 million, or 8.7%, over the current year. More than 74% of spending is for three departments: public safety and police, 37%; public works, 22%; and sanitation, 15%.

The borough is expecting 5% increases in health care and workers compensation costs, 4% in fuel costs and 3% in insurance. Sanitation costs are increasing about 9%, or $183,000, because of a contract increase.

During previous meetings, borough officials discussed the possibility of increasing the local stormwater management fee, which has been $5 per month per household since its start. The earliest the fee could be increased would be in January, according to borough manager Michael Thomas.