No real estate tax increase, more money for firefighters in Lower Burrell's 2024 budget

Lower Burrell Council has approved a 2024 budget that includes no tax increase for property owners and a larger donation to the city’s volunteer fire departments.

City council approved the budget this week. It totals slightly less than $11.2 million and maintains a millage rate of 24.75 mills.

At that rate, a home in Lower Burrell with a median assessed value of $20,770 would pay $514 in taxes to the city.

“It’s great to close out my time as director of finance with a balanced budget that does not include a tax increase. I’m proud of the fiscal responsibility that our department heads and city leaders have shown,” said Councilman and Mayor-elect Chris Fabry.

The budget includes a $105,000 contractual obligation with the city’s two volunteer fire departments — No. 1 (Kinloch) and No. 3 (Lower Burrell) — and $90,000 in additional fire department support, which includes the previous escrow and gas royalty money from drilling leases under Burrell Lake Park.

The $195,000 total will be split between the departments, Fabry said.

Lower Burrell’s EMS service will receive $88,000.

City volunteer fire departments in August asked council to allot an additional $25,000 for each department and a 5% increase in annual funding to combat inflation. The departments also asked the city to disburse the annual $30,000 capital fund allocation to the departments, where funds would be used for vehicle payments or purchases.

In the budget, $2.5 million is allotted for the Public Affairs Department, about $2.4 million for Accounts and Finance, $600,000 for Public Safety, $815,000 for Streets and Public Works, and $830,000 for the Parks Department.

“It is always a puzzle to provide the services our residents need while working within a budget,” Fabry said. “Our goal is to not make any sacrifices while simultaneously not raising taxes. It’s not an easy feat, but it is an important one.”