Leetsdale officials hold the line on real estate taxes
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Leetsdale property owners will not have to pay more in borough real estate taxes next year.
Council voted 6-1 on Dec. 8 to adopt its 2023 final budget.
Councilman Roger Nanni dissented. He said he had been sick and out of town for weeks and had not looked at the budget until just before the meeting.
He also cast the lone vote against the preliminary budget on Nov. 10.
The spending plan maintains the millage rate at 9 mills. One of those mills is set aside for infrastructure.
Council reduced infrastructure taxes by one mill this year.
Borough secretary Jennifer Simek there were some minor tweaks to the budget within the weeks leading up to its formal adoption.
There are no major purchases outlined in the budget and no service cuts.
Revenues were listed at about $2.545 million and expenses at $2.515 million, a projected surplus of $30,000.
Income includes about $1.185 million in real estate taxes, $784,500 in local enabling taxes, including earned income and business privilege taxes; $146,000 in state shared revenue and entitlements; $90,500 in fines and forfeits; $41,000 in business licenses and permits, and $26,000 in interest, rents and royalties.
Spending includes about $716,000 for police, $500,000 for roads and streets; $202,000 in miscellaneous costs including pension contributions; $159,000 for debt service; $154,000 for general government; $96,000 for engineering services; $82,000 for fire protection; $48,500 for tax collection; $16,800 for legal services and $11,600 for ambulance service.
One of the budget highlights is the possible hiring of a new full-time police officer. The borough will be testing for a new Civil Service list of potential hires. The list is valid for two years.
Council members said they were confident about sticking to the budget, and looked forward to the new year.
In other business
Council tabled a motion to have a special meeting Dec. 17 to discuss strategies for the new year. That session is now being planned for sometime in January.
It also tabled a motion to either reappoint Simek, or appoint Thomas Belcastro, as the local service tax collector for 2023.
Council president Patricia Lee said she wanted to have further discussion and include a review of the position by newly hired solicitor Daniel Conlon.
Council approved a public hearing for 7 p.m. Jan. 5 to consider an inter-municipal transfer of a state restaurant liquor license from the city of Duquesne to a proposed business location at 99 Ohio River Blvd. in Leetsdale. More details will be released at the hearing.
Borough engineer Daniel Slagle said he was working on next year’s paving project. Paving plans include the borough building and Henle Park parking areas and Davis Avenue. His team is also designing the Washington Street realignment project.
They have met with Columbia Gas and Edgeworth Municipal Authority regarding utility relocation and plan to meet with Duquesne Light in the near future to relocate its utilities.