Leetsdale officials hope to hold the line on real estate taxes in 2024, boost community program spending

Leetsdale property owners should not expect to pay more in borough real estate taxes next year .

Council approved its 2024 preliminary budget Nov. 9. However, it was not made available until about week later.

The tax rate remains at 9 mills. Of that, 8 mills is planned for general purposes and 1 mill for road reconstruction and infrastructure.

Projected revenues and expenses were listed at about $2.666 million.

Proposed income includes about $1,141 million in real estate taxes; $980,000 in local enabling taxes, including earned income and business privilege taxes; $181,900 in state shared revenues and entitlements; $40,450 in business licenses and permits; $32,000 in fines and forfeits; and $12,800 in charges for services.

Proposed spending includes $736,000 for police; $494,000 for roads and streets; $170,000 for general government, including council and mayor compensation, insurances and auditing services; $156,000 for the borough office, including administrative salaries, computer support and supplies; $116,200 for engineering; $88,000 for fire protection; $68,100 for recreation; $60,500 for tax collection; and $38,750 for legal services.

Borough Secretary/Treasurer Jennifer Simek declined to comment on the budget.

There was some discussion about cutting the food bank donation in half, from $3,000 to $1,500.

Mayor Sandra Ford argued the budget cut would make it impossible to serve its 58 families.

Multiple residents also voiced concerns and support for the food bank. The contribution was eventually reverted back to $3,000.

Council President Maria Napolitano said the borough was able to negotiate better health insurance rates for its employees by switching from United Healthcare to Highmark, saving about $14,000.

“I would like to recognized Simek and the members of the finance committee for working proactively on this initiative,” Napolitano said. “The budget now has a line item for civil celebrations to fund community events. No new expenditures are planned; rather, this is a reorganization for better grouping of the existing expenditures together.”

About $15,000 is earmarked for civil celebrations, which include Fourth of July and Memorial Day events, senior citizen dinners and community gatherings at Henle Park.

“That’s how you get people together, networking,” council Vice President Osman Awad said. “We don’t only serve Leetsdale. We serve all the communities around us.”

Awad also credited strong business tax collection and the industrial park for covering expenses without having to take more from residents.

“We have new tax revenue coming in from industrial park, around $225,000 from three buildings,” he said. “We don’t need to raise anything.”

Council plans to use public works capital reserves to purchase a new truck. Estimated cost is between $120,000 to $130,000.

The truck will be used for snow plowing, leaf collection and other services.

The proposed budget is available for review at the borough office, 373 Beaver St.

Its formal adoption is scheduled for Dec. 14.