Some township employees in East Deer will get a boost to their salaries next year.

Commissioners approved wage increases for the township secretary, Chrystal Carmen, at slightly more than $47,000 in 2024 and just under $49,700 in 2025.

“She’s doing an excellent job,” Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani said of Carmen, who has been the township’s secretary for eight years.

The commissioners also set wages for the township office assistant and part-time summer help employees at $15.75 an hour starting in 2024.

All were 5% wage increases, Taliani said.

East Deer is able to provide the wage boost while also cutting residents’ taxes in its proposed budget for 2024. The township’s preliminary budget, approved by commissioners in October, includes a real estate tax cut of 0.25 mills.

That move sets East Deer’s millage rate at 4.65 mills. A township homeowner with a property assessed at $49,700 would pay $231.80 annually instead of the current rate of $244.

Officials attribute the tax cut to the township saving money on utilities, interest in township investments and the township joining the Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department. Additional tax revenue from the Pittsburgh Brewing Co. at the former Pittsburgh Glass Works property also helped.

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