A bare-bones Sharpsburg budget will still require a 30% property tax hike for residents next year.

Several council members said it was a challenge to balance needs and costs.

Council approved the $4.6 million budget in November, with member Jon Jaso voting against the plan.

The 6-1 budget vote increases the property tax rate from 7.5 to 9.75 mills.

The owner of a home assessed at $100,000 would pay $975, up from $750.

Jaso lobbied for a “less dramatic” increase and said several ideas were floated, but the board could not agree. Still, he said council worked hard to cut wasteful spending.

“It’s not in the budget’ will be the mantra for many years coming,” Jaso said.

There is no money allocated for demolition or road repair in the 2023 budget.

“The realities we have to face are not always pleasant,” Councilperson Carrie Tongarm said. “I am confident that we are putting the borough in a stronger financial position overall.”

Tongarm said members took a close look at how to account for necessary spending as well as planning for emergencies.

Highlights of budget expenses include $1 million for police coverage, $131,000 for fire services and $76,000 for code enforcement.

The budget for streets is $255,000 and for snow removal $25,000.

“We passed a balanced budget that reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility and sustainable spending,” Tongarm said.

“It has been a challenging year for everyone, and this budget process has been undertaken with great care and sensitivity for the gravity of the situation.”

Manager Christine DeRunk said that the borough has applied for $615,000 in grants, which she hopes would help pay for improvement projects that are otherwise not manageable next year.

She also said that while street repairs are on hold next year, council hopes to begin a street assessment and restart the paving program in 2024.

“We will also be developing a five-year capital improvement plan to assist in preparing for the 2024 budget,” DeRunk said. “It is never too early to plan ahead.”

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