Tarentum taxes hold steady; utility costs climb
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The good news for Tarentum residents is that property taxes will remain the same for the 20th consecutive year.
The bad news is utility costs are going up. That includes garbage, water and electricity.
Councilwoman Carrie Fox said the increases mostly are because of rising supply costs and contractual obligations but also because the borough needs to position itself for the future by upgrading infrastructure.
“The budget is the best I have seen in years,” Fox said. “We have monies budgeted for the future. I have been looking for a rainy day fund for a long time, and infrastructure is very important to us all.”
The borough’s $16.4 million budget holds the tax rate at 5.48 mills, meaning the owner of a home assessed at $100,000 will again pay $548.
Garbage collection will go up about $50 a year. Monthly bills will climb 16%, from $25 to $29 a month. Manager Dwight Boddorf said the increase is a result of the contract with Waste Management that includes slight yearly increases.
He said the budget prioritizes infrastructure maintenance and helps ensure some resolution to the borough’s failing water distribution system.
About 90% of Tarentum’s water pipes are 100 years old and require constant maintenance.
According to a report from the state Department of Environmental Protection, the water system requires about $15 million in work.
Water costs will climb by $1.30 per 1,000 gallons, about an 11% increase. Residents currently pay about $36 for 3,000 gallons a month; the new price will be about $40.
The increase takes effect March 1.
Council has applied for $5 million in grants to help upgrade the water plant, with Boddorf saying the borough can’t be without water service. It is a priority that has to be addressed.
“We need to replace so many linear feet of pipe every year,” he said. “The prudent thing to do is slightly raise rates and replace mechanical and electrical equipment.”
For the electric rate increases, Boddorf pointed to supply costs that are set to double.
The borough’s energy contract with its Chambersburg power supplier is ending, and a new four- to five-year contract is being negotiated with costs to the borough expected to climb from $30.56 per megawatt hour of energy to about $60.
Costs will go from 13 cents to 15.2 cents per kilowatt. For the average borough customer who uses about 647 kilowatts a month, the increase will be about $13 a month, from $85 to $98.
Council President Scott Dadowski said borough residents still will pay less than neighboring municipalities for electricity.
West Penn Power charges 15.6 cents per kilowatt; Duquesne Light charges more than 20 cents.
Other highlights of the budget include capital improvements such as a traffic signal upgrade at Freeport Road and Grantham Street, riverfront planning, records digitization and disability sidewalk ramp installations.