North Huntingdon officials unanimously approved a $15.8 million budget for 2026 that will raise the township’s property taxes by 30%.
The 3.5-mill tax hike is split into two parts: 1.5 mills for the general fund and 2 mills for the capital reserve fund for roads and stormwater management projects.
For those whose residential property has an average assessed value of $24,000, the increase will be about $74, according to township manager Harry Faulk.
The general fund tax levy will increase from 9.23 mills to 10.73 mills, raising an additional $550,000. The increase from 1 mill to 3 mills in taxes for the capital reserve fund will generate about $800,000.
Township commissioners also will advertise an ordinance which would eliminate the per-capita tax, which brought in about $65,000 this year.
Township officials have not raised taxes to support the general fund since 2012. Faulk said the township was able to benefit from federal funding during the covid-19 pandemic to avoid a tax hike.
Commissioners were also presented with an option to raise general fund taxes by 1 mill, and instituting a $7-per-month stormwater management fee to cover the rising cost of state-mandated pollution control projects, but a majority of the board opposed the option.
In addition, commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Lt. Jay McCurdy as acting police chief. McCurdy takes the place of Chief Robert Rizzo, who will retire at the end of the month.
The commissioners meet next for a reorganization meeting, 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at the township offices, 11279 Center Highway.
