Kiski Township plans tax increase but amount undecided

Kiski Township residents can expect to pay more in property taxes next year.

Officials did not include a tax increase in their proposed budget but have since said one will be necessary.

A 2-mill hike is the most conservative outcome, Supervisor Chairwoman Brittany Hilliard said during a recent meeting.

In this scenario, the millage rate would go from 5.5 mills to 7.5 mills — a 36% increase.

The owner of a home assessed at the township’s median value of $21,100 would pay about $42 more in taxes, bringing their tax bill from $116 to $158.

Expenses under the draft budget would total $1.75 million, compared to just $1.58 million in revenue, leaving a $170,000 deficit.

The township last raised taxes in 2022, when it bumped the rate for the following year from 4.5 to 5.5 mills.

Supervisor Chuck Rodnicki said another increase should have happened last budget cycle. Not raising taxes at that point has put the township in a difficult spot this time around.

“We negotiated two contracts this year: public works and the police department,” he said. “Everybody gets raises. Your costs go up. Fuel goes up. Utilities go up. Nothing ever goes down.”

Supervisors Mary Long, Mark Kendall and Hilliard did not respond to TribLive requests for comment.

A special meeting will be held at 11 a.m. Friday to pass a final budget.

It appears, however, the township may run afoul of Second Class Township Code, since it hasn’t formally advertised a tax increase.

State law requires any significant amendment to the draft budget to be advertised at least 10 days prior to passage. This is defined as a 10% change in aggregate to revenues or expenses, or a 25% change to a major category, such as real estate tax revenue.

Since the proposed budget left millage untouched, the township would surpass this threshold if it passed a 36% hike.

Spending plans must be passed before the end of the year in nonmunicipal election years, such as 2024, making it unclear how officials will move forward.

Rodnicki deferred questions about the timing of the vote to Solicitor Ryan Fritz, who did not return TribLive requests for comment.

Notable spending categories compared to this year’s budget include:

• $902,000 for police, up from $753,000.

• $434,000 for public works expenditures on highways and streets, up from $375,000.

• $297,000 for general government, up from $270,000.

The draft budget is available for review at the township building, 1222A Old State Road or online at kiskitownship-pa.gov.