Sewickley officials plan to hold the line on real estate taxes next year.

Council voted 8-0 Nov. 14 to advertise its proposed 2024 spending plan of $9.83 million. Council president Cynthia Mullins was absent.

Proposed budget documents indicate the tax rate will remain 6.25 mills.

The borough has not raised taxes for at least the past six years.

Projected revenues and expenses were listed at about $9.83 million.

Expected income includes about $3.21 million in real estate taxes; $2.136 million in Act 511 taxes, including earned income and business privilege taxes, $739,000 in state capital and operating grants; about $97,000 in charges for services, more than $76,000 in business licenses and fines and about $40,000 in rents and royalties.

Expected spending includes about $2.226 million for police protection; $1.19 million for public works; close to $700,000 for executive government, including administrative salaries, health insurance and office supplies; $421,000 for fire protection, $374,000 for municipal building maintenance, $169,000 for legal services, $140,000 for engineering services, $72,000 for code enforcement and $62,000 for tax collection.

“Council met for several meetings to go over the entire budget,” council Vice President Julie Barnes said. “We’ve been building reserves for several years. Now, we have the ability to spend some money in areas that have been neglected for awhile like parks. We’ve been really aggressively seeking grant funding.”

Some of the highlights in the proposed budgets include $793,500 for parks and recreation.

Projects include pickleball courts in Riverfront Park, new playground equipment in Maple Lane Park, a new walking trail and bridges at War Memorial Park.

There is $600,000 earmarked for paving, which is the same amount that was budgeted for this year. There is $255,000 budgeted for sidewalks and crosswalk repairs.

”I think it’s very thoughtful and fiscally responsible,” Councilwoman Bridgett Bates.

Borough Manager Donna Kaib said there are a few projects planned for this year being moved to next year.

They include a new HVAC system for the borough building, Americans with Disabilities Act compliant ramps, and new light poles in the borough.

Kaib said she does not anticipate any major changes to the budget prior to its passage Dec. 13.

Councilwoman Anne Willoughby credited the manager and her team with crafting a budget that addresses borough needs without asking more from taxpayers.

“Donna is the reason why we’re pulling it off,” Willoughby said. “We are extremely fortunate to have such a competent manager that has really plowed through our budget with a fine toothed comb, and really get us squared away.”

The proposed budget is available for review at the borough building, 601 Thorn St.

In other business

• Police officer Raymon Darcel Bouyer was formally sworn in to his new position by Mayor George Shannon.

Council promoted the patrolman from part time to full time in October. He has been with the department since September 2018.

• Council approved short-term rental permits for 231 and 238 Melville Lane.

• Council approved a certificate of appropriateness for 320 Thorn St. The property owner wants to replace a rear deck with a new deck and install a pergola onto it.

The certificates are required for renovation projects in the borough’s historic district.

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