No tax increase likely for Tarentum residents

Tarentum residents likely will not see a property tax increase in 2022.

The proposed budget, just more than $11 million, maintains a tax rate of 5.48 mills — the same as it’s been since 2007.

If approved, the owner of a home assessed at $100,000 would again pay $548 to the borough. Residents also pay 24.88 mills in Highlands School District taxes, which is $2,488 on a home assessed at $100,000.

“We had a lot of good conversation during our budget session on Tuesday,” Council President Scott Dadowski said. “We’re trying to be creative to allocate money for work on different projects.”

Residents will be able to review a copy of the budget beginning Monday at the municipal office.

Council could vote on the plan during its business meeting at 6 p.m. Dec. 7. Voting sessions are scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 20 and 30 if needed.

In recent years, council earmarked much of its capital improvement money to the ongoing anti-blight initiative. Tax dollars paid for four demolition projects this year, which totaled nearly $220,000 and took down 26 abandoned and eyesore properties.

While council plans to raze up to 10 more homes in 2022, it’s time to start targeting other areas of development, Dadowski said.

“We’ve spent a lot of time on demolition,” he said. “As that project starts to wind down, we need to start thinking about putting money elsewhere.”

Council will eye work at Riverview Memorial Park, the West Tarentum business corridor and along Corbet Street.

“We have that beautiful stretch of shoreline that goes all the way to Brackenridge, and that’s what we need to focus on next,” he said. “Every little community would love to have that riverfront property, and we need to figure out how to get the most from it.”

Ideas are just that at this point. No work would be done for a few years.

Public input will be sought, Dadowski said, and he envisions lots of sessions to hear from residents.

Money would need to be spent initially to hire a consultant to outline possibilities for boat docks, a marina, the skate park and Dreshar Stadium.

“I have a dog, and I would love to be able to walk him without a leash in some area,” Dadowski said. “But that’s just me. We need to hear from lots of people to see what might work.”