East Deer property owners to pay less in township taxes in 2024

Township taxes for East Deer property owners will decrease in 2024.

Commissioners set the 2024 millage rate to 4.65 mills, a 0.25-mill or 5% decrease from this year. It’s the township’s third tax cut since 2015, Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani said.

Property with a median assessed value of $49,700 would be charged about $13 less in the new year.

Factors contributing to the tax cut include savings on utilities due to improvements within the past couple of years, the township joining the Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department with Cheswick and Springdale Township and additional tax revenue from Pittsburgh Brewing Co.

The budget totals $927,763 in expenditures with $1,107,000 in revenue, leaving a fund balance of $179,872. The township water fund budget shows $978,550 in expenditures and $1,123,645 in revenues, leaving a projected fund balance of $244,892.

Some township employees also will see increases to their salaries in 2024. The budget includes 5% wage increases for Township Secretary Chrystal Carmen, the township office assistant and part-time summer help employees.

Looking forward

Commissioners closed the books on 2023 at a special meeting Friday afternoon.

Taliani said 2023 was a great year for the township. He cited growth and development at Pittsburgh Brewing Co., Air Products and Pitt Penn Recycling.

“Our industrial sector continued to grow and prosper,” he said.

The township also was able to address some infrastructure, notably a waterline along Bailies Run Road.

Demolition of two blighted properties, one on Meadow Street and the other on Clarks Pike, are scheduled to take place in 2024, Taliani said.

East Deer also won $215,000 in funding from the PA Small Water and Sewer Program, which they plan to spend on water and sewer improvements on Marion Street.

East Deer will have to address water rate increases from Tarentum in 2024, Taliani said. They also will consider enacting an amusement tax.

“I want to commend the members of this board because I think you did a fantastic job this year in grant acquisition and management of our township finances,” he said.

Friday’s meeting was the last for Commissioner John Nwranski, who has been on the board for 28 years.

Before becoming a commissioner, Nwranski was the township’s auditor. Nwranski didn’t seek reelection this year, but he will remain on the township’s planning commission.

“It’s been great. I learned a lot from all of you. I have to tell you, it was a great experience. I wouldn’t have traded it for the world,” Nwranski said.