Glen Osborne holds line on real estate taxes, maintains programs and services
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Glen Osborne property owners will not have to pay more in borough real estate taxes this year.
Council voted unanimously Dec. 17 to pass its 2025 budget and maintain the millage rate at 4.9 mills.
This is the third straight year borough taxes have remained steady.
The $800,0000 spending plan includes no cuts to programs or services.
Projected revenues include about $391,600 in real estate taxes, $255,000 in earned income taxes, $45,000 in real estate transfer taxes and $9,000 in Local Services Tax.
Projected spending includes about $352,500 for public works, $204,000 for public safety, $202,260 for government including administrative salaries, supplies and other services and $41,000 for public service.
Borough residents’ weekly garbage collection and recycling are included in borough taxes.
Council President Tom Huddleston said being fiscally responsible and having about $1 million in reserves helped stave off a tax hike.
“The borough is running with a nice surplus going into the future, something everyone in this room is very proud of considering the (inflationary) conditions we face,” Huddleston said.
He said the borough’s tax rate is among the lowest in the Quaker Valley School District.
Holly Merriman, councilwoman and finance committee chair, noted a lack of snow to clear and no cases before the zoning hearing board contributed to expenses staying under budget.
“We didn’t have any residents who requested variances,” Merriman said. “When they request variances, it’s a very expensive process to have solicitors and (court) stenographers.”
About $123,800 is budgeted for police protection. Glen Osborne contracts with Sewickley for police services. The contract expires at the end of 2025.
About $36,800 is allocated for fire protection from Sewickley-based Cochran Hose Company, an all-volunteer fire station.
Glen Osborne budgeted $15,000 for code enforcement, $12,000 for snow removal, $8,500 for Mary Roberts Rinehart Nature Park and $6,000 for ambulance service.
About $107,200 is budgeted for paving and road repairs, focusing on Glen Mitchell Road.
Glen Osborne is less than one square mile with 210 residential properties and about 590 residents, according to borough records.
Sewer repair completion soon
A major sewer repair project is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
Sewer lining is underway along Beaver Road, from Davis Lane to Osborne Lane; along Beaver Road, from Rabbit Hill to Lantern Lane; along Orchard Street, from Beaver Road to the end; and along the entire length of Linden Street.
The borough secured a $134,800 grant through the state Gaming Economic Development & Tourism Fund.
Total project costs were estimated at more than $162,000. Glen Osborne would also have to come up with about $27,500.
Borough engineer Clint Reilly said the project was more than halfway complete in October with the remaining work to be done in early 2025.
“The project involves the installation of cured-in-place pipe, which is installed using trenchless technology,” Reilly said. “By using this method of trenchless rehabilitation, it will prevent excavating in the pavement of Beaver Road, which would take much longer and would have been an inconvenience to residents.”